United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today in Puerto Rico, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that 81 members of a violent drug trafficking organization have been charged federally following a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation. The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department successfully led the takedown and arrest yesterday of 70 defendants charged as members of the violent drug trafficking organization known as “Los Baja Deo,” or “LBD,” which had operated for years throughout western Puerto Rico.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Caribbean Division participated in the investigation and takedown as part of HSTF San Juan, working alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to target the organization’s drug trafficking activities, violent criminal network, and sources of illicit proceeds.

“These 81 defendants are alleged drug traffickers of ‘Los Baja Deo’ also known as ‘LBD,’ who maintained a steady supply of highly addictive and potentially lethal substances that endangered the community, fueled addiction and exposed entire public housing projects in Mayagüez and nearby neighborhoods to violence and chaos,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “During this investigation, law enforcement seized 21 firearms. It is estimated that during the span of the conspiracy, this drug trafficking organization was responsible for the distribution of at least 340 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics, and at least 2,200 kilograms of cocaine, among other drugs, generating over $49 million in proceeds. Let this be a warning to those that are terrorizing our communities, our Homeland Security Task Forces around the country are unified to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations throughout the United States.”

“This operation demonstrates exactly what the Homeland Security Task Force was created to accomplish: bring together the full capabilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement to dismantle violent drug trafficking organizations that threaten our communities,” said DEA Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Mayer. “Los Baja Deo allegedly flooded communities in western Puerto Rico with cocaine, fentanyl, and other dangerous drugs while using violence and firearms to protect its criminal enterprise. DEA is proud to stand alongside the FBI, the Puerto Rico Police Department, and all of our HSTF partners in this coordinated effort. There are no agency lines when it comes to protecting the people of Puerto Rico. We are one team, with one mission—to dismantle these organizations, disrupt their drug trafficking networks, and hold those responsible accountable.”

“This is yet another huge success for the FBI, the Homeland Security Task Force, and all of our law enforcement partners in San Juan,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Over 80 indictments of a Mayagüez transnational criminal organization involved in large-scale narcotics trafficking across Puerto Rico - including sending controlled substances to the continental United States through the U.S. Postal Service, generating millions in illicit proceeds annually. The FBI and our partners mobilized a massive amount of resources for this takedown including 13 SWAT teams, CIRG pilots, and more and as always they executed brilliantly. These arrests disrupted one of western Puerto Rico’s most violent drug-trafficking organizations, dismantled its leadership and distribution networks, and cut off yet another key pipeline of dealt drugs flowing into our country. Outstanding work by our FBI personnel, law enforcement partners, and DOJ.”

“The Puerto Rico Police remains committed to working hand in hand with the Homeland Security Task Force to dismantle violent criminal and drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety of our communities and spread fear,” said Joseph González, Puerto Rico Police Superintendent. “Our officers are an essential part of these joint efforts with our federal partners, and we recognize the dedication and courage of those who carry out this critical mission every day. Together, we will continue working tirelessly to protect the people of Puerto Rico and those responsible accountable.”

The Investigation

The indictment alleges that beginning in 2021, the drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, and marijuana within 1,000 feet of numerous public housing projects and communities throughout Mayagüez and western Puerto Rico, including Sábalo Gardens Public Housing Project (PHP), Cuesta Las Piedras PHP, Yagüez PHP, Franklin Delano Roosevelt PHP, Colombus Landing PHP, Jardines de Concordia PHP, Monte Isleño PHP, Mar y Sol PHP, El Maní Ward, La Salud Ward, Buena Vista Sector, Liceo Sector, Broadway Ward, La Chorra Ward, Balboa Ward, Paris Ward, La Quinta Ward, Río Hondo Ward, La Mineral Sector, Villas del Oeste Neighborhood, El Seco Ward, Río Cristal Cluster, Dulces Labios Ward, and surrounding areas, all for significant financial gain and profit.

The object of the conspiracy was to distribute wholesale and street-level quantities of controlled substances and traffic illegal firearms and ammunition. According to the indictment, members communicated using two-way radios, cellular phones, instant messaging, and social media. When members perceived threats to the organization or its members, they allegedly used violence, including shootings, kidnappings, and murders, to protect themselves and the organization. Members also allegedly transported and distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.

The defendants allegedly served in different roles to further the conspiracy, including as leaders, drug-point owners, suppliers, enforcers, runners, sellers, lookouts, and facilitators. Twenty-one defendants face a charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The co-conspirators charged in the indictment are:

José Onairam Medina-Marrero, also known as “La O,” “Omayra,” and “Onairam;”

Jeffrey Omar Delgado-López, also known as “Jeffrey Menor” and “Menor;”

Christian Oneil Meléndez-López, also known as “Chucky;”

Josué Lee Obregón-Vargas, also known as “Josu,” “Chaco,” and “Cha Corta;”

Ulises Irizarry-Santiago, also known as “Viejo,” “El Viejo Ulises,” “Patrón,” and “Chapo;”

Anfernee Jonans Martínez-Pérez, also known as “Penny;”

Ramón Miguel Rodríguez-Pacheco, also known as “Piti,” “Pitín,” “Ramoncito Pacheco,” and “Ramón el Gordo;”

Nelson Rafael Vargas Valentín-Rivera, also known as “Junito;”

Cristian Joel Mercado-Rodríguez, also known as “Yoyin;”

Alexis Omar Millón-García, also known as “Millán,” “Millo,” and “La M;”

Saturnino Barbosa-Ortiz, also known as “El Viejo” and “Nino;”

Jeremy Omar González-Díaz;

Rafael Orlando Martínez-Mercado, also known as “Rafita” and “Rafito;”

Luis Ezequiel Bayron-Hernández, also known as “Seco” and “El Zorro;”

Israel Enrique Rivera-Díaz, also known as “Isra” and “Guajiro;”

Jexiel Rivera-Echandy, also known as “J. Echandy” and “La J;”

Wiljaniel Echandy-Ortiz, also known as “Lenta” and “Will;”

Andrés De Jesús-Camacho, also known as “Panda,” “Zeta,” “Cheo,” and “Tres Z;”

Delvis Habanell Torres-Acevedo, also known as “Delvin” and “Habanell;”

José Israel Román-Irizarry, also known as “Siki;”

Jiam Maico Ramos-Vega, also known as “Jan;”

Ricardo Alexis Torres-Rodríguez, also known as “Balita” and “Bala;”

Héctor Lucas Zaragoza-Alicea, also known as “Lucas” and “Mostrito;”

Alexandre Pérez-Díaz, also known as “Alex Quijá,” “Quijú,” and “Quijá;”

Kevin Oneal Román-Zapata, also known as “Kevin Walter;”

Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Pacheco, also known as “Pitin Junior,” “Piti Junior,” and “Piti;”

Luis Ángel Cruz-Pérez, also known as “Cecilio” and “La S;”

Ashley Angely Martell-Prosper, also known as “La Rubia;”

Caridad Migdali Ferrer-Carrero, also known as “Cari” and “Claribel;”

Betsy Santiago-Almodovar, also known as “La Rubia” and “La Rubia de Cuestas;”

Nelson Rafael Vargas-Alers;

Cristal Yarits Rivera-Matías;

Louwark Giovanni Rodríguez-Ramírez, also known as “Delvis;”

Christian Javier Medina-Marrero;

Christopher José Medina-Marrero;

Kevin Bryan Ruiz-Millán, also known as “Kevin El Gordo;”

Christian Oneil Flores-Ramos, also known as “Pollito” and “Pollo;”

Lester Roberto Rodríguez;

Joshua Omar Cornier-Valentín, also known as “Ojos Bellos,” “Joshi,” and “Jota Cornier;”

José Medina-Padilla, also known as “Joselito;”

Arístides Lorenzo Ruperto;

José Antonio Rivera-Barbosa, also known as “Chiquitín;”

Abdiel Omar Sánchez-Negrón, also known as “Blanquito;”

Félix Alberto Esteves-Vargas, also known as “Felo;”

Moisés Isaac González-Bayron, also known as “Moi;”

Neftalí Santiago-Santiago, also known as “Gordo Papá;”

Jeremy Oneell Rivera-Flores, also known as “Mon” and “Negro;”

Joshua Méndez-Montes;

Ryan Lowell Moreno-Ortiz, also known as “Scarface” and “Motorita;”

Héctor M. Cotto-Rodríguez, also known as “Tello;”

Gary Jayson Bonet-Martell;

Dwight Yonice Carrero-Ramírez, also known as “Tripi;”

Keithy Enid Rosas;

John Emmanuel Vélez-Borrero, also known as “John el Negro” and “Johnsoto;”

José Manuel Vélez-Torres, also known as “José El Barroso” and “Ubija;”

Waleska Morales-Martínez;

Kelvin Camuy Gonzélez, also known as “Camuy;”

Diego Andrés Rivera-Ballester;

Ángel Yandel Figueroa-Rivera, also known as “Dona;”

Walter Jesús Colón-Rodríguez, also known as “Walter el Viejo;”

José Joel Morales-Bayron, also known as “John Goti” and “Peste a Sobaco;”

Amniel Josué Miró-Núñez, also known as “John Zeta;”

Michael José Díaz-Deriux, also known as “Michael el Mono;”

Amarilys Torres Rivera;

Abiezer Bayron Vargas;

Jean Michael Cruz-Robles, also known as “Jean Carlos;”

Ezequiel Jamuel Soler-Vélez;

Plimo Aníbal Picart-Padilla;

Eriel Omar Rodríguez;

Jesse Lucre Rodríguez, also known as “Macho” and “Machito;”

Dereck Alberto Carrero-Torres;

Santos Alexis Goden-Rodríguez, also known as “Alex Goden;”

Zuleika Marie Fred-Echevarría, also known as “La Tuca;”

Elizabeth Díaz-Fábregas, also known as “La Patrona;”

Edwin Javier Acosta-Ortiz, also known as “Dayan” and “El Pato;”

Victor González-Ramírez;

Christy Marie Alicea-Torres, also known as “Marie;”

Lydia Odalys Pagán-Martínez, also known as “La Flaca” and “La Boxeadora;”

Roberto Jr. Granell-López;

Rubi Cristina Rodríguez-Quiñones, also known as “La Rubia;” and

Abdiel Manuel Ruiz-Lucena, also known as “Nacho.”

If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges in count seven, the defendants face a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. All defendants face a narcotics forfeiture allegation of more than $49.7 million in U.S. currency.

Homeland Security Task Force Partnership

The investigation was led by the FBI, the Puerto Rico Police Department Mayagüez Strike Force, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service as part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative.

During the arrests, additional support was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection–Office of Field Operations, CBP Special Response Team, Puerto Rico National Guard–Counterdrug Program, Guaynabo Police Department Special Response Team, and Puerto Rico Police Department SWAT Team.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs U.S. law enforcement resources toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations.

HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the FBI; ICE-HSI; CBP, including OFO, AMO and Border Patrol; U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; DEA; ATF; IRS; U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of State; U.S. Secret Service; Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA; TSA; FAA; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

State and local HSTF partners include the Puerto Rico Police Department; San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments; Puerto Rico National Guard–Counterdrug Program; Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Puerto Rico Department of the Treasury (Hacienda); Puerto Rico Ports Authority; and Virgin Islands Police Department.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.