In a covert operation conducted by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, a man from Hennessey, Francisco Arnoldo Payan Izabal, 39, was apprehended and now faces three felony drug charges. The charges include aggravated trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in cocaine, and maintaining a place for storing and selling controlled substances. Izabal is currently being held at the Kingfisher County Justice Center, with a bond set at $1 million.
The arrest took place on Monday after a search warrant was executed by agents from the OBN, along with officers from the Kingfisher County Sheriff’s Office, Enid Police Department, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol. The warrant was obtained after an investigation that commenced in December 2023, as stated in the probable cause affidavit signed by OBN agent Brandon Powell.
The affidavit indicated that the investigation began at Izabal’s residence on 812 S. Main St. in Hennessey. Agents obtained the cellular phone number of a person named Luis Ceja Duarte, whom they believed to be the occupant. Starting on January 5, an undercover agent initiated communication with Duarte, who agreed to sell the agent 10 pounds of methamphetamine.
Later, Duarte offered to supply the agent with more methamphetamine if needed and suggested meeting in Enid. As per the affidavit, a “brick” of methamphetamine refers to one pound of the drug. The agent agreed to purchase 20 pounds from Duarte, with the transaction scheduled for January 8 in Enid. On January 7, the agent contacted Duarte to confirm the deal.
During this phase of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained through the Kingfisher County District Court. Surveillance of Duarte began on January 8, as he traveled to Oklahoma City, presumably to acquire more methamphetamine. However, the surveillance team was compromised after several hours, leading to the decision to stop Duarte. Upon being stopped in Oklahoma City, Duarte was found to be in possession of cocaine.
At 5:08 p.m., a search warrant was executed at Izabal’s unoccupied residence in Hennessey. In the master bedroom, agents discovered six black bundles located in a box at the bottom of a TV stand. Based on their training and experience, the agents recognized these bundles as the type typically used for packaging illegal substances, as noted in Powell’s affidavit. Additionally, other substances consistent with methamphetamine and cocaine were found in the house, along with suspected drug ledgers and items linking both Izabal and Duarte to the narcotics.
Duarte was subsequently questioned by agents in Oklahoma City, during which he revealed that his name is actually Francisco Arnaldo Payan Izabal. As the search warrant was executed, Powell observed a car matching Izabal’s description, a black Nissan Altima, in the garage.
Field tests conducted on January 9 confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and cocaine in the seized items. Approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine and around 63.5 grams of cocaine were weighed. The substances are now being submitted to the OSBI lab for further analysis and official weight determination.
Izabal appeared in Kingfisher County District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. His next court appearance is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 25. If convicted, the aggravated trafficking charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. The trafficking charge also carries a punishment of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $25,000 to $100,000. Finally, the third charge could result in a fine up to $10,000 and/or up to five years in county jail.
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