MIAMI DUO CHARGED IN TENNESSEE DRUG RING

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Thirteen people, including two Miami men, were indicted
in connection with a drug ring that authorities say is the largest in the
city's history.

The ring generated more than $11 million over several years and was
supplied by the Miami men, U.S. Attorney Harry S. Mattice said.

The indictments, announced Friday, accuse the suspects of drug trafficking,
money laundering and hiding their profits through the purchase of homes,
condominiums, land, jewelry, boats and dozens of expensive vehicles.

Authorities said Alexis Munoz and his brother-in-law Javier Martinez, both
of Miami, supplied cocaine to the ring, led by brothers Ronnie "Goodie"
Rodgers, Anthony Rodgers, Michael Rodgers and Kenneth Rodgers, all of
Knoxville.

Martinez and Munoz supplied the Knoxville ring with dozens of kilograms of
cocaine and more than 50 grams of crack cocaine during a five-year period
beginning in 1997, authorities said.

The two men are accused of using at least $6.5 million in drug money to buy
high-rise condominiums in Miami and homes on Marco Island and other
property, including a yacht and luxury cars.

Authorities said undercover officers conducted a number of transactions in
2001 and 2002 with the 11 ring members living in Knoxville. The indictments
show investigators also documented phone conversations setting up those
transactions.

The Knoxville ring members were arrested in December, but the indictments
against them were sealed while a number of search warrants were served.
Martinez was arrested in Knoxville in early January, and Munoz was taken
into custody a short time later in Miami.

Attorney information for those indicted was not immediately available.