United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ORLANDO, Fla. - Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement (DEA), Miami Field (MFD), and Jerry Demings, Sheriff, Orange County Sheriff's (OCSO), announced the results of an eight month long joint investigation involving a heroin trafficking organization in the Orange County area. Yesterday, DEA and OSCO executed fourteen arrest warrants and four search warrants in Lake Downey Mobile Home Park. The state drug charges range from: Conspiracy to traffic in heroin of 28 grams or more, sale and delivery of heroin, cocaine and/or cannabis within 1000 feet of a school, and sale and delivery of heroin.

DEFENDANTS
1. DIAZ, (36, Orlando)
2. MERCADO, (50, Orlando)
3. LOPEZ, Angel (33, Altamonte Springs)
4. MUNOZ, (29, Orlando)
5. RIVERA, (29, Orlando)
6. MATTA, (38, Orlando)
7. MERCADO, Jose Luis (39, Orlando)
8. ALEMAN, Nathan Lee(23, Orlando)
9. SANTIAGO, Jose Antonio (55, Orlando)
10. GEARY, David (30, Oviedo)
11. FERRER MANGUAL, Manuel (53, Orlando)
12. QUILES, (31, Orlando)
13. RIVERA PAGAN, Ramon (36, Orlando)
14. RODRIGUEZ, Joel Rojas(35, Orlando)

Yesterday's operation resulted in the arrest of ten individuals. In addition, approximately 8 ounces of heroin, 2 pounds of marijuana, 20 grams cocaine, prescription pills, 6 weapons, 2 stun guns, and approximately $20,000 in cash were seized.

Over the past eight months, the DEA and OCSO has been investigating a drug trafficking operation being conducted in the residential area of the Lake Downey Mobile Home Park after receiving numerous tips from concerned residents. The investigation revealed a very well structured heroin trafficking operation within the mobile home park. This criminal organization operated 24 hours/7days a week, and sold an average of 2000 bags of heroin a day at $5 per bag.

This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the DEA MFD, Orlando Task Force and the OSCO Narcotics Unit. The Orlando Task Force is comprised of the DEA, OSCO, Winter Park Police (PD), Longwood PD, Clermont PD, Lake County SO, and Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. The investigation is being prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit serving Orange and Osceola Counties.

A charge is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.