Ga Tech cornerback arrested in connection with marijuana ring

<p>Georgia Tech starting cornerback Reuben Houston was arrested Tuesday in Atlanta in connection with a marijuana distribution operation based in California.</p><p>According to a criminal complaint filed in Fresno, Houston, 22, conspired to possess and distribute about 100 pounds of marijuana, which has a street value of about $60,000.</p><p>The drugs were allegedly given to Houston by Oscar Rosales, 39, a Fresno-area business owner, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar, who is prosecuting the case.</p><p>Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey said Houston was suspended from the team and from school.</p><p>"We're still gathering information, so I cannot comment further at this time," Gailey said in a statement released by the athletics department.</p><p>Spokeswoman Allison George said Gailey was out of town and had not had a chance to talk to Houston.</p><p>One of Rosales' couriers took the marijuana to Rosales' nephew, Anthony Baltazar, 22, who was in Atlanta, according to the charge. Baltazar then allegedly delivered the load to Houston on the Georgia Tech campus.</p><p>Houston is a two-year starter with seven career interceptions. He also has 151 career tackles, 14 pass breakups, 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.</p><p>The arrest was the result an investigation by the Fresno Methamphetamine Task Force, which is a combined effort of officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fresno Police Department, Fresno County Sheriff's Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.</p><p>They had been looking into Rosales' alleged drug trafficking organization for about a year. The investigation resulted in the seizure of nearly 600 pounds of marijuana, and the arrests of 15 suspects, including Rosales, Baltazar and Houston.</p><p>Officials said Rosales had been trafficking drugs across the country for the last 10 years.</p><p>U.S. District Court Judge Oliver W. Wanger has ordered Rosales to be detained while he waits for trial. Baltazar will also remain detained until trial.</p>