United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - On April 16, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment against 29 defendants charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Drug Enforcement Administration is in charge of the investigation, with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department- Guayama Strike Force.

The 29 defendants are: Ángel Morales-De Jesús, aka “El Gordo;” Javier Fernández-Morales, aka “Pelota;” Javier Fernández-Morales, aka “Pelota;” Jaime Rosario-Valdés, aka “Burro;” Luis Acevedo-Torres, aka “Chiquitin;” Jesús M. González, aka “Randy;” Gilberto Díaz-Torres, aka “Gilbert;” Jorge L. García-Cruz, aka “Gatillo;” Hermes Torres-Vázquez, aka “Sein;” Félix Javier De Jesús-Negrón, aka “Javi Moyi;” Misael Díaz-Torres, aka “Misa;’ Eric Díaz-Torres, aka “Buho;” Charlie M. Ocasio-Ayala; Brian O. Fontanez-Sanabria; Omar De Jesús-Negrón, aka “Omar Moyi;” Jaset Garrafa-Lebrón; Kenneth O. Ayala-Guevara, aka “Guavi;” Nadel Garrafa-Lebrón; Edwin Xavier Pirela-Amaro, aka “Plo Plo;” Josué M. Rivera-Lebrón, aka “Yauti;” Roberto Martínez-Rivera, aka “Picu;” José M. Del Valle-Sánchez, aka “Jossie;” Eric J. Correa-Rodríguez; Wilfredo Montañez, aka “Wilfre;” Miguel Velázquez-Sánchez, aka “Micky;” Jean González-López; Héctor E. Navarro-Santiesteban, aka “Pepito;” Luis A. Laboy-Sánchez, aka “Tony Pitufo;” Alexis Vega-Maldonado; and Ricardo Romero-Baerga, aka “Ricky Dominiqui.”

The indictment alleges that beginning in 2010, the organization distributed crack, cocaine, marihuana and prescription drugs within 1,000 feet of a real property comprising the Public Housing Projects Villas del Caribe, Villa Real and Esmeralda del Sur, Calle Las Flores, El Pueblito, La Quebrada and the Providencia Ward located in the Municipality of Patillas, all for financial gain and profit.

The 29 co-conspirators had many roles in order to further the goals of the conspiracy.  The following are the roles as alleged in the indictment: three leaders/drug point owners/drug point administrators; three runners; 23 sellers; enforcers and facilitators. Nine of the defendants are facing one count of possession of firearms, including “high power” rifles, in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.

It was further a part of the manner and means of the conspiracy that some of the defendants and their co-conspirators would collect money from the members of the organization in order to pay for weapons and for bail when members of the organization were arrested.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Teresa Zapata-Valladares and Seth Erbe are in charge of the prosecution of the case.  If convicted the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years up to life in prison.  Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt.  Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.