United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Caribbean Division, working alongside its Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) partners, announces federal charges against 17 individuals allegedly involved in a drug trafficking organization that used the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and the U.S. mail system to transport cocaine from Puerto Rico to destinations throughout the continental United States.

On September 1, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 17 individuals with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the collaboration of the DEA Caribbean Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to the indictment, beginning in approximately November 2022, members of the organization allegedly conspired to possess with intent to distribute and distributed five kilograms or more of cocaine for significant financial gain. The organization allegedly transported narcotics through the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and through the U.S. mail to destinations in the continental United States.

“Drug trafficking organizations will exploit every transportation route available to move their poison, whether through our airports, our maritime borders, or our mail system,” said DEA Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Mayer. “DEA and our Homeland Security Task Force partners are committed to identifying and dismantling these networks from the organizers and recruiters to the individuals responsible for physically moving the drugs. Puerto Rico will not be used as a gateway for cocaine destined for communities across the United States.”

The defendants charged in the indictment are:

1. Francisco J. Sánchez-Roque, a.k.a. “Chuleta”

2. John O. Espinal-Zorrilla, a.k.a. “Taker”

3. Humberto Mercedes-Ruiz, a.k.a. “Brujo”

4. Michael J. Camacho-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Tiza/Chuky”

5. Emanuel Miranda-Calvo, a.k.a. “Shelby”

6. Kidanny J. Maysonet-Morales, a.k.a. “KJ/Kid/Kajoota”

7. Luis D. Ramos-Ortiz, a.k.a. “PO/Podri”

8. Thalia González-Van Tull

9. Wilfredo Maldonado-De Jesús, a.k.a. “Marzan”

10. Héctor I. López-Franceschi, a.k.a. “Ivancito/Ricitos”

11. Johhy J. Figueroa-Mangual, a.k.a. “Jotta-Jotta”

12. Erika M. Fernández-Miranda

13. Christian J. Rivera-Caraballo

14. Victor Pérez-Medina

15. Bryan A. Serrano-Pérez

16. Héctor R. Ortiz-Torres

17. Jeremy Torres-Charbonier

If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative. HSTF brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle cartels, transnational criminal organizations, foreign gangs, and other criminal networks operating in the United States and abroad.

DEA Caribbean Division remains committed to working alongside HSTF San Juan and its law enforcement partners to target the organizations responsible for trafficking dangerous drugs through Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean region.

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.