WICHITA, KAN. – Three people living in Wichita were indicted Tuesday on federal charges they used FedEx to smuggle a pound of crystal methamphetamine to Wichita.

U.S. Barry Grissom says Mario Murillo-Arteaga, 20, Marcela Acuna-Ramirez, 30, and Elisa Anchondo-Loya, 25, were charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute crystal meth.

In court documents, prosecutors alleged that on Aug. 11, 2015, agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration kept the three defendants under surveillance while FedEx delivered a parcel to an apartment at 2715 S. Topeka in Wichita. When no one answered the door, the driver left the parcel at the apartment complex office. After picking up the package, Murillo-Arteaga left in one vehicle and the two women left in another vehicle.

Police stopped the women’s car, where they found the parcel, which contained approximately a pound of crystal meth. When police stopped Murillo-Arteaga’s vehicle they found $2,000 in cash in the console. Investigators learned that the women were being paid $1,000 each to pick up the parcel for Murillo-Arteaga.

If convicted, the defendants face a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $2 million. The Wichita Police Department and the DEA investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Jacobs is prosecuting.