Federal Authorities Dismantle Drug Trafficking Organization Responsible for Transporting Cocaine and Money between Puerto Rico-Florida-Connecticut

OCT 07 (SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico) –This morning, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCEDTF) dismantled a drug trafficking organization responsible for the transportation of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and drug money between Puerto Rico and the Continental United States, announced United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is in charge of the investigation with the collaboration of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HIS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

On September 30, 2015, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging 37 individuals with participating in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and conspiracy to tamper with a witness. The defendants are: Luis Rivera-Ramos, aka “Luigi;” Rubén Barceló-Severino, aka “Chucky;” Jesús M. Vázquez-Rivera; Glarivy Rivera-Huertas; Luis Pintor; Antonio Llano-Mulley, aka “Pupolo;” Valeria Ramos-Ruiz; Ashley Flores-Carter; Kenneth Rivera-Ramos, aka “Gazu;” Kelvin Collazo-Rodríguez, aka “Pirulo;” Eddie Fernández-Ruiz; Carmen Yaritza Povez-James; Xavier Camacho-Valdés; Carmen Odalis Flores-Dávila; Valeria Mojica-De Jesús; José Burgos-Estrada; Joselyn Alicea-Villegas; David Reyes-Santiago; Deyaneira Reyes-Santiago; Kevin Reyes-Santiago; Jonathan Reyes-Santiago; Pedro Ramos-Ruiz; Lynn Ramos; Alba Torres-Suárez; Aníbal Torres-Pérez; Ayleen Santana-Gómez; Blanca Calo-Vázquez; Dariana Santiago-Falcón; Esteban A. Rivera-Guzmán; Gilberto Villegas; Joson F. Abreu; Jessica Martínez-Alfaro; Juan Figueroa-Cabrera; Kacsy Maldonado-Giegel; Liliana Geigel-Rivera; Llinozca Delgado-Ríos; and Nayad Pujols-Noboa.

The investigation leading to today’s arrests uncovered that members of this organization utilized drug mules to smuggle kilograms of cocaine hidden in suitcases on airplanes flying out of the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (LMMIA). The kilograms of cocaine were vacuum sealed and pressed into the approximate width of a magazine, and were then wrapped in carbon paper. The suitcases were altered to contain a hidden compartment in the bottom, where the kilograms of cocaine were concealed. The suitcases typically contained two kilograms each, and the mules would travel with one or two suitcases at a time.
The organization instructed the mules on how to handle law enforcement in the event that they were arrested for smuggling. The organization’s leadership would provide the mules with a story to tell law enforcement to lead them in the wrong direction and away from the organization. The organization also utilized intimidation and threats of violence to prevent the mules from cooperating with law enforcement.

“These arrests are a clear indication of the success of the OCEDTF in the fight against drug trafficking. Today’s arrests dismantle an organization that coordinated not only the traffic of cocaine between Puerto Rico and the Continental United States, but also the movement of drug money, essential to the success of these illegal activities,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We will continue maximizing all of our combined resources to investigate and prosecute those who disregard our laws and try to smuggle illegal contraband into our jurisdiction.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aaron Howell.

If found guilty, the defendants face terms of imprisonment from 10 years to life. Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The case was investigated by agents from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) that investigates South American-based drug trafficking organizations responsible for the movement of multi-kilogram quantities of narcotics using the Caribbean as a transshipment point for further distribution to the United States. The initiative is composed of DEA, HSI, FBI, US Coast Guard, US Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, and PRPD’s Joint Forces for Rapid Action.

The Airport Investigations and Tactical Team (AirTAT) operates in the District of Puerto Rico as an OCDEFT strategic initiative that is part of the National Airport Initiative. It is a multi-agency, co-located task force that includes DEA, HSI, FBI, USPIS, CBP – Office of Field Operations, and ATF. AirTAT also works closely with the Police of Puerto Rico. AirTAT’s mission is to identify, locate, disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute TCOs and their operatives using the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (LMMIA), the Fernando Luis Rivas Dominicci Airport (FLRDA), and airport peripherals as platforms to smuggle narcotics, weapons, human cargo, counterfeit documents, illicit proceeds, and other contraband through these critical airport infrastructures.

IMAGE: District of Puerto Rico announce the results of the DEA lead arrest operation during a news conference at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Picture are (L-R) ATF RAC Felix Rios, DEA ASAC James Doby and U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez

SOURCE: http://www.dea.gov/divisions/car/2015/car100715.shtml