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PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT

DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine - DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine

Drug Enforcement Administration

Deanne L. Reuter Special Agent in Charge
Miami
@deamiamidiv
August 09, 2022
Contact: Miami.FD.PIO@dea.gov
Phone Number:
For Immediate Release

Operation “Titan Fall” Charges Thirteen in Central Florida Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Photo of seized drugs
Photo of seized drugs

ORLANDO, Fla – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of two indictments charging 13 individuals in 2 drug conspiracies in the Orlando area.

According to the redacted indictments, the below individuals are in custody and charged with conspiring with each other, and others, to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute the following amounts, or more, of fentanyl and cocaine. Several of these individuals face enhanced penalties due to their previous criminal convictions.

Defendant

Drug Quantity Alleged

Potential Penalties

Alexander Acosta-Zapata

5 kilograms of cocaine

400 grams of fentanyl

15 years to life incarceration,

up to $20 million fine, and

10 years to life supervised release

Frank Cadiz

5 kilograms of cocaine

15 years to life incarceration,

up to $20 million fine, and

10 years to life supervised release

Jonathan Andres Marte-Rodriguez

5 kilograms of cocaine

10 years to life incarceration,

up to $10 million fine, and

5 years to life supervised release

Juan Felipe Sanchez

40 grams of fentanyl

10 years to life incarceration,

up to $8 million fine, and

8 years to life supervised release

Nimesh Rashmikant Patel

500 grams of cocaine

10 years to life incarceration,

up to $8 million fine, and

8 years to life supervised release

Joseph Juan Torres-Torres

500 grams of cocaine

5 to 40 years’ incarceration,

up to $5 million fine, and

4 years to life supervised release

Carlos Alberto Roman

40 grams of fentanyl and cocaine

5 to 40 years’ incarceration,

up to $5 million fine, and

4 years to life supervised release

Kenneth Angel Vera

cocaine

up to 20 years’ incarceration,

up to $1 million fine, and

3 years to life supervised release

According to court documents, the conspirators were involved in multiple drug trafficking operations to distribute kilogram-quantities of cocaine and fentanyl. During course of this investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimates that 91 kilograms of cocaine has been seized through the mail and traffic stops initiated during this investigation. Many of the intercepted communications specifically related to the “brand” or “logo” of the cocaine – anchor or Ferrari – that was visible on the exterior of the packaging of the cocaine that was seized.  

In the course of executing arrest warrants and search warrants at numerous locations in the Orlando area today, DEA seized an additional two and half kilograms of suspected cocaine, an unquantified amount of suspected fentanyl, more than twenty firearms, six suppressors, two flash grenades, and nine vehicles that were used in the commission of these offenses or were proceeds of the offenses. 

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.    

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Orlando District Office, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Winter Garden Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Kissimmee Police Department, the Winter Park Police Department, the Clermont Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Apopka Police Department, the Ocoee Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

It will be prosecuted by United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Operation Titan Fall is a multi-agency Organize Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCEDTF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

If you are aware of controlled substance violations in your community, please submit your anonymous tip through the DEA online Tip Line at Submit a Tip | DEA.gov.  Concerns about prescription drug abuse or diversion can be reported to the DEA through this link: RX Abuse Online Reporting (usdoj.gov).

The DEA encourages parents, teachers, care givers, guardians, and children to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com , www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com , www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov , and www.dea.gov.

Follow DEA Miami via Twitter at @DEAMIAMIDIV

Cocaine Fentanyl
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