Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Https

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Mission
    • History
    • Divisions
      • Atlanta
        • Atlanta Leadership
        • Atlanta Contacts
      • Caribbean
        • Caribbean Leadership
        • Caribbean Contacts
      • Chicago
        • Chicago Leadership
        • Chicago Contacts
      • Dallas
        • Dallas Leadership
        • Dallas Contacts
      • Denver
        • Denver Leadership
        • Denver Contacts
      • Detroit
        • Detroit Contacts
      • El Paso
        • El Paso Contacts
      • Headquarters
      • Houston
        • Houston Leadership
        • Houston Contacts
      • Los Angeles
        • Los Angeles Leadership
        • Los Angeles Contacts
      • Louisville
        • Louisville Leadership
        • Louisville Contacts
      • Miami
        • Miami Leadership
        • Miami Contacts
      • New England
        • New England Leadership
        • New England Contacts
      • New Jersey
        • New Jersey Leadership
        • New Jersey Contacts
      • New Orleans
        • New Orleans Leadership
        • New Orleans Contacts
      • New York
        • New York Leadership
        • New York Contacts
      • Omaha
        • Omaha Leadership
        • Omaha Contacts
      • Philadelphia
        • Philadelphia Leadership
        • Philadelphia Contacts
      • Phoenix
        • Phoenix Leadership
        • Phoenix Contacts
      • San Diego
        • San Diego Leadership
        • San Diego Contacts
      • San Francisco
        • San Francisco Leadership
        • San Francisco Contacts
      • Seattle
        • Seattle Contacts
      • St. Louis
        • St. Louis Leadership
        • St. Louis Contacts
      • Washington, DC
        • Washington Leadership
        • Washington Contacts
    • DEA Museum
    • Foreign Offices
      • Africa
      • Andean
      • Caribbean
      • Europe
      • Far East
      • Middle East
      • North and Central America
      • Southern Cone
    • Operational Divisions
      • Aviation Division
      • Diversion Control Division
    • Wall of Honor
    • Contact Us
      • Submit a Tip
      • Extortion Scam
      • Congressional and Public Affairs
      • Social Media Directory
  • What We Do
    • Law Enforcement
      • DEA Office of Training
        • Office of Training Programs
      • El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC)
        • Leadership
        • Mission
        • Services
        • Contacts
      • Forensic Sciences
        • Computer Forensics Program
        • Environmental Management
        • Laboratories
      • Intelligence
      • Operations
        • Administrative Law Judges
        • DEA Asset Forfeiture
        • Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program
        • HIDTA
        • OCDETF
        • State and Local Task Forces
    • Education and Prevention
      • Operation Engage
      • Community Outreach
      • Just Think Twice
      • Campus Drug Prevention
      • Get Smart About Drugs
      • Operation Prevention
    • Drug Information
      • Drug Policy
      • Drug Scheduling
      • The Controlled Substances Act
    • News
      • Alerts
      • Press Releases
      • Most Wanted Fugitives
        • All Fugitives
      • Stories
      • Events
      • Speeches
      • Testimony
    • Campaigns
      • One Pill Can Kill
        • Partner Toolbox
        • Social Media Campaign
      • DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
      • Red Ribbon
        • Kiki and the History of Red Ribbon Week
        • Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community
  • Careers
    • Special Agent
      • Contact Your Local Recruiter
      • Special Agent FAQs
      • Special Agent Job Announcements
      • What it takes to be a DEA Special Agent
    • Diversion Investigator
    • Intelligence Research Specialist
      • Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements
      • Intelligence Research Specialists FAQs
      • Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist
    • Forensic Sciences Careers
    • Professional & Administrative Careers
    • Student & Entry Level Careers
    • How to Apply
      • Equal Opportunity Employer
      • Employment Requirements
      • How To Claim Veterans' Preference
      • Priority Consideration
      • Benefits
      • Veterans and People With Disabilities
  • Resources
    • Recovery Resources
    • Data and Statistics
      • Domestic Arrests
      • Staffing and Budget
    • FOIA
      • About FOIA
      • Contact DEA FOIA
      • Make a Request
      • What Happens After Making a Request
      • Requester Categories
      • Fees Charged
      • Fee Waiver
      • FOIA FAQ
      • FOIA Library
      • FOIA Logs and Reports
      • FOIA Additional Resources
      • Additional FOIA Links
      • FOIA Exemptions
      • What Are Exclusions?
      • Privacy Act
      • Privacy Act Exemptions
      • Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems
    • Publications
    • Media Galleries
    • Victim Witness Assistance Program
      • Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

  • Search
  • Full Menu

Main Menu

  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • Careers
  • Resources
  • Submit A Tip
  • Get Updates

Drug Enforcement Administration

Renita D. Foster Special Agent in Charge
Caribbean
@DEACaribbeanDiv
July 03, 2013
Contact: Tony Velazquez
Phone Number: (787) 475-4504
For Immediate Release

Four Individuals Indicted And Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Perfume parlor used as a front for controlled substance sales

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - On June 27, 2013, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment against four defendants charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine and (commonly known as Percocet), announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.  The Drug Enforcement Administration is in charge of the investigation.

According to the indictment, the object of the conspiracy was to use the establishment Perfumería Chris in Levittown, Toa Baja, PR, as a front from which the illegal sale of controlled substances, mainly cocaine and Percocet, could take place undetected, all for significant financial gain.

The defendants are: Ramón Santiago-Ortega, aka “Pucho”, owner of Perfumería (perfume parlor); Jesús Cabrera-Martínez, aka “Papalote;” Yolanda Santiago-Orta and Elizabeth Rodríguez-Flores.  They operated the Perfumería Chris, where they sold drug paraphernalia and narcotics in perfume accessories such as bags and boxes to disguise the controlled substances sold at their workplace.  According to the indictment, the defendants would count and weigh the controlled substances directly on top of the perfume counter before conducting the drug sales.

The defendants served as runners and sources of supply of cocaine for other members of the conspiracy, in addition to participating in the drug sales and splitting the earnings with other members. They used cellphones in committing, causing and facilitating controlled substance sales. It was further part of the manner and means of the conspiracy that members of the conspiracy advised as to the code names to use during the drug related conversations such as “Baskin-Robbins” in reference to 31 grams of (31 ice cream flavors) and “Perfume” in reference to kilos of cocaine.  

Defendants Santiago-Ortega and Rodríguez-Flores are facing one count of managing and controlling a drug establishment.  Since August 2011, these two defendants, owners, managers and/or employees, knowingly and intentionally used Perfumería Chris for the purpose of unlawfully storing and distributing cocaine and Percocet. As to the narcotics forfeiture allegation, the property to be forfeited is the two story building, to wit, Perfumería Chris.

“Drug trafficking organizations must be aggressively attacked and dismantled at every level,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “These defendants distributed narcotics inside what appeared to be a legitimate business, where they thought their illegal activities would go undetected.”

“Our citizens should not have to live with drug dealers operating in their communities - openly conducting their drug deals in stores, mall parking lots and streets,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Pedro J. Janer.  “Individuals, whether they live in Mayagüez or in San Juan, should be able to walk their streets and go about their daily activities without fear or exposure to drug activity and potential related violence. We will continue working hard to enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”

Special Assistant US Attorney Max Pérez-Bouret is 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.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Locator

  • Who We Are
    • About
    • Domestic Divisions
    • Foreign Offices
    • Contact Us
    • DEA Museum
  • What We Do
    • Drug Prevention
    • Law Enforcement
    • Diversion Control Division
    • News
  • Careers
    • Overview
    • Special Agent
    • Diversion Investigator
    • Forensic Sciences
    • Intelligence Research Specialist
  • Resources
    • Drug Information
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • Equal Opportunity Employer
    • FOIA
    • Publications
    • Media Galleries
    • VWAP
  • Doing Business
    with the DEA
    • Overview
    • Current Vendors
    • Prospective Vendors
    • Security Clauses
    • Security Forms
    • Small Business Program
  • Policies
    • Accessibility, Plug-ins & Policy
    • Legal Policies & Disclaimers
    • No FEAR Act
    • Privacy Policy
    • U.S. Department of Justice EEO Policy
    • USA.gov
    • Whistleblower Protection
Home

United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DEA.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram

DEA Contact Center

(202) 307-1000 info@dea.gov
Contact the Webmaster