Texas Resident Guilty of Smuggling Marijuana

A Kingsville, Texas, man was found guilty Monday, February 4, 2013, of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

This conviction resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Kingsville Narcotics Task Force.

Michael "Mickey" Pena, 45, was found guilty by a federal jury for participating in a drug trafficking organization that transported large amounts of marijuana concealed in the hulls of altered shallow-bottom fishing boats. The marijuana was transported via the intracoastal waterway from Port Mansfield to Corpus Christi to circumvent Border Patrol checkpoints in Falfurrias and Serta, Texas. The federal jury returned their verdict in Corpus Christi after deliberating only 30 minutes following the trial that lasted less than a day.

"Drug smugglers seek the path of least resistance," said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of HSI Houston. "The great collaborative work of our special agents and law enforcement partners in this case should give pause to trafficking organizations who seek to exploit our coastal waters to move illegal drugs into this country."

Court testimony revealed that in early 2012, drug trafficking organization members deconstructed a 21-foot Dargel Scout fishing boat over 20 days. The hull of the vessel was then loaded with more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana, and the deck of the boat was rebuilt. The boat was then launched in Port Mansfield and co-defendant Rogelio Mendoza drove it north. 

Marine interdiction agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted the vessel just south of Corpus Christi.

Subsequent investigation by HSI revealed that Pena arrived at marker 37 with an empty boat trailer shortly after the boat was intercepted and had registered the vessel in his name two weeks earlier. Certified state documents showed that the previous owner of both the boat and the empty trailer were members of the drug trafficking organization. Special agents also testified that they had conducted surveillance of organization members scouting boat ramps near marker 37 about six weeks before the seizure and then immediately drove to Pena's Kingsville residence.

Mendoza, 37, and five other members of the conspiracy had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. district judges in Corpus Christi and have been or are awaiting sentencing. Those drug trafficking members include: Alberto Lopez, aka Alberto Lopez-Reyna, 39, Lombardo Zarate, 49, Glen Dial, 56, Luz Ramirez, 25, and Hector Perez-Gonzalez, 39.

Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack, who presided over the trial, has set sentencing for April 17, at which time Pena will face a minimum of five and up to 40 years in prison, as well as a possible $5 million fine, and a substantial money judgment. Pena will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey D. Preston, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the case. 

New York Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

On Monday, January 7, 2013, a Niagara Falls, N.Y., man pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to possess, with the intent to distribute, 100 kilograms of marijuana. The man faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine.

Wally Reynolds, 36, supervised other individuals in a drug conspiracy who imported marijuana from Canada into the United States. The defendant then distributed the marijuana to his customers in the United States.

The plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Sentencing is scheduled for May 6 before Judge Arcara.

Puerto Rican Drug Ring Leader Sentenced to Life in Prison

The leader of a major drug trafficking organization arrested during the execution of Operation Grayskull by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was sentenced Wednesday, December 12, 2012, to life in prison by U.S. District Judge Carmen Consuelo Cerezo.

Ismael Vazquez-Larrauri, 39, of Cayey, Puerto Rico, was found guilty June 15 of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana within public housing projects and schools.

HSI special agents, working jointly with federal, state and local law enforcement partners, conducted simultaneous enforcement actions Aug. 25, 2008, in an operation dubbed Operation Grayskull in the Puerto Rican municipalities of Cayey, Salinas, Guayama, Coamo, Santa Isabel and Jayuya that resulted in the arrest of 64 individuals allegedly involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Vazquez-Larrauri, the leader of the organization, remained fugitive but was subsequently arrested May 1, 2009.

According to the Aug. 5, 2008, indictment, which charged 71 individuals for drug trafficking, the object of the conspiracy was to purchase wholesale quantities of heroin, cocaine, marijuana, Oxycodone (Percocet) and Alprazolam (Xanax) for distribution at several public housing projects in Cayey and at drug distribution points in the municipalities of Salinas, Coamo, Santa Isabel, Guayama and Jayuya, all for a significant financial gain and profit.

The indictment further alleges that some of the cocaine purchased was cooked in order to make cocaine-based crack that was later distributed, along with heroin, cocaine and marijuana, in small bags at the drug selling points. The leaders of the organization divided the proceeds of the drug trafficking sales among themselves and their subordinates.

The 71 individuals charged had different roles in the conspiracy, such as leaders, suppliers, runners, enforcers and facilitators to further the goals of the conspiracy. The charging document also alleges that some of the co-conspirators used residences in order to package and conceal the controlled substances as well as the materials to process the contraband.

"The importation of illegal narcotics into the United States is a very serious crime and the unscrupulous persons involved will not receive reprieve from law enforcement," said Angel Melendez, acting special agent-in-charge of HSI San Juan. "In our efforts to keep drugs off the streets of Puerto Rico, we will continue using all of our resources to identify and dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering organizations that operate within our jurisdiction."

ICE encourages the public to report suspected weapons and narcotics smuggling, and related information by calling at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. For more information, visit www.ice.gov.

Mexican Nationals Sentenced for Smuggling Marijuana on Vegetable Trucks

Three men who planned to use a Gainesville warehouse to unload their vegetables and marijuana were sentenced to prison Thursday, October 11, 2012, by Senior United States District Judge William C. O'Kelley. The investigation leading to the sentences was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Marco Ortiz-Barajas, 19, Angel Zamudio-Martinez, 54, and Jose Luis Chavez-Morfin, 43, all of whom are from Mexico but resided in the Atlanta metropolitan area, were convicted based upon their June 29 guilty pleas to a charge of conspiracy to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute.

"Today's sentences are a reminder that drug trafficking carries with it serious consequences and that no community is immune from its presence or its potentially destructive effects," said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.

"This case demonstrates that Atlanta and its surrounding environs continue to serve as a hub for the distribution of marijuana and other drugs smuggled into the United States from Mexico," said Brock D. Nicholson, special agent in charge of HSI Atlanta. "HSI will continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to target the organizations responsible for drug trafficking in Georgia and to send a strong message that their criminal activity will not be tolerated here."

Chavez-Morfin was sentenced to five years, 10 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Zamudio-Martinez was sentenced to four years, two months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Ortiz-Barajas was sentenced to three years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Each defendant will be deported to Mexico at the end of his sentence.

According to information presented in court, during the course of an undercover investigation HSI special agents learned that Ortiz-Barajas, Zamudio-Martinez and Chavez-Morfin were planning to unload a shipment of marijuana at a Gainesville warehouse. As soon as the tractor trailer arrived at the warehouse, law enforcement executed a search warrant. Under the cilantro, peppers and other green vegetables, law enforcement located and seized 1,572 pounds of marijuana.

The approximate street value of the marijuana seized is $3,144,000.

ICE recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following website: www.justthinktwice.com. Additional information can be found at www.DrugFree.org.

In May 2012, the Partnership at Drugfree.org released the findings of a new, national study entitled "The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study." This study, which tracks drug use and attitude trends among high-school aged teens in America, revealed some troubling findings. Most notably, it found that in 2011 marijuana use among teens rose over the preceding three years, with an especially sharp rise in heavy, past-month use (i.e., 20 or more times in the past 30 days) of the drug. Heavy, past-month use of marijuana saw an 80 percent increase among U.S. teens since 2008.

This case was investigated by HSI and members of the Gainesville-Hall County Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad. The agencies involved with the arrests include the Hall County Sheriff's SWAT Team, Gainesville Police Department and Hall County Sheriff's Office uniform patrol divisions, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Georgia State Patrol and Georgia State Patrol Aviation Division.

"Latin Kings" Gang Members Face Federal and State Charges for Drug Trafficking

Twenty-six alleged members and associates of the Latin Kings street gang are facing federal narcotics charges, most of them for their alleged roles in one of two drug-trafficking organizations that supplied and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana in Chicago and the south suburbs. Another 17 defendants face related state charges in Cook and Will counties.

The federal charges, contained in four separate criminal complaints, stem from a narcotics and firearms trafficking investigation led by the following agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad (MANS); and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012, agents seized an undetermined amount of cash and 13 firearms, including five long-barreled weapons, while arresting 16 of the federal defendants. Six other federal defendants were already in custody, and four remain fugitives. Previously, during the two-year investigation, agents seized more than $50,000; four firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun; more than two pounds of heroin, and wholesale quantities of cocaine; all in the Chicago area. Nearly two tons of marijuana that was interdicted along the Southwest border were also seized.

A federal magistrate judge approved the use of no-knock arrest warrants for two defendants: Damian Rivera, aka "Spook," aka "King Spook," 31, of Burbank; and Emmanuel Fernandez, aka "Maniac," aka "Manny," 27, of Chicago; based on allegedly possessing firearms and expressing a willingness to use violence.

Three federal defendants were arrested earlier this week and charged with conspiring to possess and distribute cocaine that they planned to steal from what they believed was a drug stash house. Instead, it was actually a ruse as part of an undercover sting operation. The overarching investigation made critical use of an undercover agent who successfully infiltrated the Latin Kings for an extended time.

Twenty-two of the defendants were charged with various drug distribution offenses in two separate criminal complaints filed Tuesday, September 11, 2012, in the Northern District of Illinois and unsealed following the arrests. The federal defendants arrested Wednesday, September 12, 2012, appeared before Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys in U.S. District Court; all but one remains in federal custody pending detention hearings.

Gary S. Shapiro, acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, praised the dedication and teamwork of HSI, ATF, and Joliet MANS agents who worked diligently to disrupt these alleged drug-trafficking organizations. Mr. Shapiro announced the charges with Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago, and Larry Ford, special agent in charge of ATF in Chicago.

The following agencies also participated: Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation Division, Illinois State Police, as well as the Illinois police departments of Summit, Bolingbrook and Lyons. The investigation was conducted under the umbrella of the U.S. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

"These cases are textbook examples of the work that the U.S. Attorney's Office routinely performs with all of our law enforcement partners – federal, state and local – to stem the tide of gangs, guns, drugs and violent crime in Chicago and neighboring communities," Shapiro said.

Hartwig said: "This investigation has dealt a serious blow to alleged criminal organizations suspected of trafficking large quantities of heroin and cocaine from Mexico into the Chicago area. The arrests, including those of several high-ranking Latin Kings gang members, dismantled a destructive supply chain and prevented untold amounts of dangerous drugs and guns from reaching our streets."

"Combating drugs and violent crime, while protecting the public, is the mission of ATF," Ford said. "Yesterday, the men and women of ATF, together with our law enforcement partners, arrested ranking members of the Latin Kings street gang operating in the suburbs of Summit, South Holland, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Orland Hills, New Lenox, Lemont and Brookfield, with tentacles reaching into the Ogden police district on Chicago's near west side, thereby making our respective communities safer. It is a priority of ATF to protect our neighborhoods from drug trafficking and the accompanying use of firearms and violent crime," he added.

United States v. Rivera, et al.

 

Twelve defendants were charged with various conspiracies to distribute heroin, or were charged individually with possessing heroin with intent to distribute, or distributing heroin, in an eight-count complaint supported by a 234-page affidavit. These defendants were associated with defendant Rivera, the alleged leader of a Chicago-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) that bought and sold kilogram quantities of heroin on a monthly basis, the charges allege.

Between March and June, the Rivera DTO allegedly distributed or attempted to possess and distribute at least 5.5 kilograms (about 12 pounds) of heroin and collected more than $171,850 in heroin proceeds.

In May, agents seized more than a kilogram of heroin and more than $53,000 combined on two occasions in May and June. In June 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized a shipment of about 1,674 kilograms (about 3,700 pounds) of marijuana that was found hidden inside furniture in a tractor-trailer on the U.S.-Mexican border at Laredo, Texas. The electronic manifest listed the "ultimate consignee" as "Damian Rivera dba D. Rivera Construction," with various personal identifiers associated with Rivera.

The complaint details recorded conversations in which Rivera allegedly said that the last time he was in Mexico was when he ordered the load of marijuana that was seized by CBP officers at the border.

Between September 2011 and March, the undercover agent and others allegedly purchased 100-gram quantities of heroin on four occasions from Rivera and others, as well as a .380-caliber pistol, a 9mm firearm, a Glock pistol, a sawed-off shotgun, and a bullet-proof vest.

Also charged in this complaint were Pedro Antonio Hernandez-Aceves, who allegedly brokered the shipment of kilogram quantities of heroin on behalf of the Rivera organization, and Fernandez, who allegedly stored and distributed wholesale quantities of heroin, and collected and delivered cash proceeds generated by selling heroin. Defendant Hector Arias allegedly distributed wholesale quantities of heroin and collected cash for delivery to the organization's heroin supplier, while Hilario Trevino allegedly collected the Rivera organization's money.

Rivera and his organization received shipments of wholesale quantities heroin from defendants Israel Rios, Eugenio Miranda-Aparicio and Arturo Esquivel-Camacho, the charges allege.

Defendants Lamont Wallace, William Nunez, Adalberto Diaz and Deangelo Curtis allegedly distributed the heroin.

United States v. Cisneros, et al.

 

Eight defendants were charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and two others were charged with distributing cocaine in a three-count complaint supported by a 132-page affidavit. These defendants were associated with Alan Cisneros, aka "Ghost," 27, of Summit, Ill. Cisneros is the alleged leader of a DTO based in Summit, and was the alleged regional leader of the Midwest Region of the Almighty Latin King Nation until he was arrested in May.

Between November 2011 and May 7 the Cisneros DTO allegedly obtained multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine from suppliers such as co-defendants Andres Garcia and Ricardo Juarez, and distributed the cocaine to its customers. Defendant Christian Ramirez allegedly distributed cocaine and served as a manager of the organization.

Ramirez assisted Cisneros by dealing directly with drug suppliers on Cisneros' behalf, and by obtaining, preparing and storing cocaine prior to its distribution to organization workers and drug customers, the charges allege. Further, Ramirez allegedly collected cash from workers, distributors and customers, and stored and delivered drug money on behalf of the organization.

Co-defendants Faustino Morales, Javier Abeja, Alejandro Cabrera, Fernando Llanes and Ernesto Rosales allegedly were drug distributors, or workers, to whom Cisneros allegedly fronted cocaine for distribution. These defendants also delivered cocaine or cash to Cisneros or Ramirez, prepared cocaine to be sold to customers, stored cocaine and money, and conducted counter-surveillance, according to the complaint. Additionally, Abeja and Llanes allegedly brokered purchases of cocaine from suppliers. Cisneros' wife, Diana Cisneros, allegedly worked for the organization and assisted her husband with storing and delivering drugs and proceeds, and conducting counter-surveillance.

In a separate complaint, Juan Amaya, aka "Crow," 37, of Chicago, was charged with distributing an ounce of cocaine to an undercover agent in November 2010. Amaya is an alleged ranking Latin Kings member who distributed drugs in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.

The following three defendants were arrested Monday for allegedly conspiring to steal drugs from the undercover stash house: Justin R. Davila, aka "Fatman," 23; his brother, Jason J. Davila, 21; and Nieko E. Hadley, aka "Yogi," 20; all of Joliet.

Eight defendants in the Rivera case face a mandatory minimum of 10 years to a maximum of life in prison and a $10 million fine; the others face sentences ranging from a maximum of 20 to 40 years in prison and fines up to $5 million. All 10 defendants in the Cisneros case face a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $5 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Tracy, Peter M. Flanagan, Christopher Grohman and Philip Fluhr, Northern District of Illinois, are prosecuting the case.

The public is reminded that complaints contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Six Plead Guilty to Drug Trafficking Ring

Six men pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday, September 6, 2012, as a result of the efforts of a multi-agency investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

The defendants were arrested in June on charges relating to their participation in a large-scale south Texas drug-trafficking organization. The criminal organization employing the defendants specialized in avoiding the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint by crossing through ranches adjacent to the checkpoint.

The following men from south Texas each entered guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos Sept. 6: Jesus Marroquin, 49, of Rio Grande City; Alejandro Garza, 42, of Mission; Adrian De la Garza, 41, of Sullivan City; and Rene Salazar, 42, Jose Figueroa, 35, and Edwardo Munoz, 35, all of Falfurrias. Garza and Marroquin were identified as leaders in this criminal organization.

Garza, Marroquin, Salazar and De la Garza pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of marijuana. Based upon the amount of the marijuana involved, they face no less than 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. Figueroa and Munoz were also convicted of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.

In addition, Garza agreed to criminally forfeit several firearms; Marroquin agreed to forfeit 145 pieces of expensive jewelry, worth about $25,000.

Sentencing has been set for Dec. 4. With the exception of De la Garza and Salazar, who were released on bond, all have been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The following agencies assisted with this investigation: Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Texas Department of Public Safety; Brooks County Sheriff's Office; U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Border Patrol; and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie K. Hampton, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the case.