81 members of a violent gang in Puerto Rico charged with drug trafficking and firearms violations as part of Homeland Security Task Force initiative (DOJ)

Note, the release has been updated to include an FBI Director quote and changes to the lede. No factual changes were made.

Today in Puerto Rico, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced 81 members of a violent drug trafficking organization have been charged federally following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation. The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department successfully led the takedown and arrest yesterday of 70 defendants charged who are members of this violent drug trafficking organization that had been active for years throughout the West side of Puerto Rico.

"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."

"These arrests reflect our commitment to remove violent gangs from our communities," said Acting U.S. Attorney Ramírez-Carbó for the District of Puerto Rico. "The U.S. Attorney's Office, together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue these gangs that poison our communities with dangerous drugs wherever they operate and will not relent until our neighborhoods are safe."

"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."

"This takedown is the result of lengthy, meticulous work by our teams out in Aguadilla, and it's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this FBI's efforts to crush violent crime and defend the homeland," said Special Agent in Charge Carlos R. Goris of the FBI's San Juan Field Office. "The people of Puerto Rico can trust that this FBI will continue to tear away at the foundations of these criminal enterprises until our communities can enjoy real peace. I'd like to thank our Police of Puerto Rico colleagues, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico, and our HSTF partner agencies for their continued support to the FBI mission."

"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 indictment alleges that from 2021, the drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, and marijuana, and within 1,000 feet of the 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, and Dulces Labios Ward, and other areas nearby, all for significant financial gain and profit.

The object of the conspiracy was to distribute wholesale quantities and street-amount quantities of controlled substances and trafficking illegal firearms and ammunitions. The defendants communicated with each other using two-way radios, cell phones, instant messaging, and social media. When members of the gang perceived threats to the organization or its members, they committed violence including shootings, kidnappings, and murders to protect themselves and their organization. The gang members also transported and distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.

The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, including as leaders, drug point owners, suppliers, enforcers, runners, sellers, lookouts, and facilitators. Twenty-one defendants are facing one 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 are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of more than $49.7 million in U.S. currency.

This investigation was led by the FBI, the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) Mayagüez Strike Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Initiative. Today, the following agencies collaborated during the arrests: U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)-Office of Field Operations, CBP-Special Response Team (SRT), Puerto Rico National Guard-Counterdrug Program, Guaynabo Police Department-Special Response Team (SRT), and the Puerto Rico Police Department-SWAT Team.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort, Teresa Zapata-Valladares, Natalia Quiñones-Cruz, María López-Aponte, and Frank Norris for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) 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 historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the 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, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the 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. The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard - Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.

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