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.

Texas Men Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Cocaine Trafficking

Two south Texas men were sentenced Thursday, October 11, 2012, after admitting their guilt to trafficking cocaine in Weslaco, Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

Jose Santos Casas-Gonzalez Sr., 51, and Rogelio Mata-Ramirez, 50, both previously pleaded to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 29 kilograms of cocaine. Senior U.S. District Judge Hayden Head, who accepted their guilty pleas, sentenced Casas-Gonzalez and Mata-Ramirez to 188 months Oct. 11 for trafficking cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition to their sentence, the judge also ordered them to serve five-year terms of supervised release following completion of their prison terms.

During sentencing, Judge Head noted that both men were partners in the organization and were equally responsible, and both were involved in multiple loads of cocaine that were received from the Zetas and moved throughout the United States. The court also entered a final order of forfeiture for the real property located at 8129 North F.M. 88, in Weslaco – the location of Rio Shallow Boats Inc.

According to court documents, Casas-Gonzalez and Mata-Ramirez admitted to hiring a driver in December 2010 to transport approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine through a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. They also admitted to utilizing Casas-Gonzalez's business, Rio Shallow Boats Inc., to help in the facilitation of their drug trafficking activities. Casas-Gonzalez further acknowledged he used the profits from his drug business to make his boat company appear legitimate. Casas-Gonzalez admitted to using drug money to buy vehicles, pay for personal expenses and reinvest into his business, Rio Shallow Boats Inc.

Casas-Gonzalez and Mata-Ramirez were part of a cocaine conspiracy operating between the Rio Grande Valley and areas north, circumventing U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints by utilizing ranches in South Texas. Both were smuggling large amounts of narcotics, primarily cocaine, through and around the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints to various destinations throughout the United States.

They trafficked narcotics using tractor-trailers, boats in the Intracoastal Waterway and in various other ranch vehicles around the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. Mata-Ramirez is a former employee of the King Ranch and is one of the coordinators for the drug smuggling operations, working for Casas-Gonzalez.

Members of the Zeta organization would supply Casas-Gonzalez with cocaine in which he used Rio Shallow Boats Inc. to fabricate compartments for the smuggling of this contraband in boats, tractor trailers and trucks.

They have both been in custody where they will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

This was a multi-agency investigation dubbed Operation Rio Shallow that was conducted in Corpus Christi, led by HSI.

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

Peruvian Man Sentenced for Smuggling Two Kilograms of Cocaine

A Peruvian man was sentenced Monday, October 1, 2012, in U.S. District Court to 30 months in prison for smuggling more than two kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of over $250,000 into the United States from Lima, Peru. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Heber Razuri-Leon, 47, was sentenced Monday, October 1, 2012, by U.S. District Judge Esther Salas to 30 months in federal prison to be followed by deportation to Peru. In addition Razuri-Leon was ordered to forfeit more than $12,000 to the United States.

According to court records, on December 22, 2011, Razuri-Leon arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport en route to Japan, on a Continental Airlines flight from Lima. Razuri-Leon was selected for a routine secondary examination by CBP officers, who discovered a pair of flip-flop sandals that felt heavy. They probed the sandals and found a white powdery substance, which field tested positive for cocaine.

CBP officers then discovered several deflated soccer balls, which also felt heavy. They probed the soccer balls and found a white powdery substance inside the balls, which also field tested positive for cocaine. In total, the cocaine found inside of Razuri-Leon's suitcase weighed approximately 2.24 kilograms.

Razuri-Leon pleaded guilty July 2, 2012, to the charge of conspiring and agreeing with others to import 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal, District of New Jersey, prosecuted the case.

$22 Million of Cocaine Seized; 3 Dominican Republic Nationals Arrested for Drug Trafficking

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), working jointly with other members of the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force (CCSF), arrested three Dominican Republic nationals for drug trafficking and seized 918 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $22 million Monday, September 17, 2012, off the southern coast of Puerto Rico.

"In less than one month HSI and its partners in the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force have seized more than 2,000 kilograms of cocaine," said Angel Melendez, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. "These seizures and related arrests are clear proof that HSI, along with our state and federal partners, are vigilant and will not tolerate the importation of illegal drugs into the United States through Puerto Rico."

On Sept. 17, Puerto Rico Police Department's (PRPD) United Forces for Rapid Action (FURA), working jointly with CCSF partners, detected a suspicious vessel with two outboard engines reaching the shores of Tuna Beach in the town of Maunabo, Puerto Rico. Immediately after detection FURA, with the assistance of the U.S. Border Patrol, proceeded to intercept the vessel which had made it to the beach with 811 bricks of cocaine inside.

Three Dominican Republic nationals, Cecilio Mercedes-De la Cruz, Jose Miguel Guzman-De los Santos and Victor Manuel Carela, were arrested in conjunction with the seizure. They had their initial hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Camille Velez-Rive Tuesday and were transferred to the Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting the outcome of their case.

CCSF is an initiative of the U.S. Attorney's Office created to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations operating in the Caribbean. CCSF is part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force that investigate South American-based drug trafficking organizations responsible for the movement of multi-kilogram quantities of narcotics using the Caribbean as a transshipment point for further distribution to the United States. The initiative is composed of HSI, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the Coast Guard, CBP and PRPD's FURA.

"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.

5 Members of Mexican Drug Trafficking Ring Sentenced to Over 20 Years

The leader of a local drug trafficking organization, who distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and transported millions of dollars in drug proceeds to Mexican drug traffickers, was sentenced Wednesday, August 15, 2012, to nearly 22 years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation dubbed "Operation GoodRum" was conducted jointly by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Internal Revenue Service's Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CID).

Isaias Gallegos, aka "Mickey," 32, of Sugar Land, Texas, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and aiding and abetting money laundering. U.S. District Judge David Hittner sentenced Gallegos Aug. 15 to 262 months in federal prison on the conspiracy count and 240 months on the money laundering count; the sentences are to be served concurrently. Gallegos was also sentenced to a five-year term of supervised release.

The 18-month investigation identified Gallegos as the leader of the family operated conspiracy.

The following accomplices were also charged with receiving and selling cocaine from Mexican drug sources to distributors in Houston and throughout the United States:

·                             Suleyka Gallegos, 32, wife, also of Sugar Land;

·                             Wendy Perez Gallegos, 35, sister, from Laredo, Texas;

·                             Julio C. Villanueva-Barbosa, 40, brother-in-law, also from Laredo;

·                             Fernando Gallegos-Saucedo, 23, cousin, from Houston; and

·                             Francisco Paniagua Romero, 38, uncle, from Houston.

Alvaro Dalberto Palma, 33, and Keith Jamail Sonia, 36, both of Houston, were identified as cocaine distributors for the organization. Jorge Alberto Briones, 40, and Mario Garza Mora, 37, both of Laredo, and J. Jesus Santos, 40, of Houston, were identified as transporters of drug proceeds between Houston and Mexican drug traffickers.

From November 2009 through April 2010, HSI special agents seized $1,844,760 in drug proceeds from couriers transporting the funds from the Gallegos organization in Houston to drug traffickers in Mexico. The investigation culminated April 28, 2010 after search warrants were conducted at locations used by the organization, resulting in the seizure of 147 kilograms of cocaine, an additional $160,704 in drug proceeds, and 11 assault rifles.

A residence purchased with drug proceeds in the name of Suleyka Gallegos on the 5200 block of Ireland in Houston revealed a drug manufacturing operation used by the organization. At the residence, a substance was added to the cocaine and then repackaged to appear as if it were in its originally shipped purity. This process allowed the organization to command higher prices for lower quality cocaine.

Suleyka Gallegos, Palma, Sonia and Villanueva-Barbosa all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and were sentenced to 87, 120, 135 and 87 months in federal prison, respectively.

Garza Mora, Perez-Gallegos, Gallegos-Saucedo, Romero, Briones and Santos pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the conspiracy to money launder and were sentenced to 41, 87, 151, 210, 97 and 97 months, respectively.

In addition to the seized drug proceeds, multiple automobiles and the residence located on Ireland in Houston used by the organization for their drug trafficking activities were also seized by officers during the course of the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Hanes, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.

Life Sentence for Texas Cocaine Dealer

A Texas man was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday, July 10, 2012, for his participation in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in Alabama, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Mobile County Sheriff's Office.

Frank James Abston, 40, of Houston, Texas, was sentenced to life imprisonment in federal court after he entered a guilty plea to the charges in November 2011. Judge Callie V. S. Granade imposed the life sentence after conducting a hearing to determine the advisory guideline range applicable to Abston's case. Six witnesses testified to their extensive drug transactions with Abston, who was characterized as a major supplier of cocaine and crack cocaine in Mobile County.

"With Mr. Abston's previous criminal history, he should have known that severe consequences were in store for him should he continue to violate the law," said Raymond R. Parmer Jr., special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. "HSI has had no better partners than the Mobile County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Alabama in identifying and arresting significant drug traffickers in our area of operations. This significant sentence should put Mr. Abston's former colleagues on notice that they will either reform their ways or share his fate." Parmer oversees HSI activities in Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.

According to the testimony, most of the drug transactions occurred in south Mobile County, in the Grand Bay area. Abston's co-defendant, Walter Lee Hodges, testified that Abston hired him to transport cocaine on the bus two days before they were arrested by Mobile County sheriff's deputies. Hodges testified that he and Abston's girlfriend each brought a kilogram of cocaine on the bus from Houston to Mobile. When they were stopped in a vehicle off Interstate 10 in Mobile, they had approximately 500 grams of cocaine in the car.

Hodges testified that Abston sold the rest of the cocaine the night they arrived and the next morning.

Abston testified at the hearing in his own behalf, and he claimed that he was only minimally involved in selling drugs and that his former defense attorney misled him about the terms of his guilty plea. After the testimony was concluded, Judge Granade found that Abston occupied a position of leadership in the conspiracy, that he was accountable for at least 127 kilograms of cocaine and 1.4 kilograms of crack cocaine (both figures she characterized as very conservative), and that Abston was not entitled to any mitigation in the guideline calculations because he had not been truthful in his testimony before the court.

Judge Granade found that his advisory guideline range was life imprisonment, and that because of his prior drug convictions, the federal enhancement statute also called for a life sentence.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gloria Bedwell.