60 Ponce Gang Members Charged with Drug Trafficking, Firearms Violations

San Juan, PR – May 22, 2024 – In a major crackdown, 60 members of a violent gang have been charged with drug trafficking and firearms violations in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

According to the indictment, the gang members distributed cocaine base, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl within 1,000 feet of several public housing projects in Ponce, including the Arístides Chavier Arévalo, Ernesto Ramos Antonini, Dr. Manuel de la Pila, Ponce Housing and Hogares de Portugués Public Housing Projects.

The investigation revealed that the defendants used force, violence, including murder and intimidation, against rival drug trafficking organizations and to discipline members of their own gang.

“Too many lives have been lost because of drug trafficking and the violence it causes,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “This indictment demonstrates our shared commitment to protect our communities.”

“Guns, violence, drugs, and murders are the day to day of this organization,” said Rebecca González Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of HSI. “Ponce residents deserve peace, and our children deserve to play in a street free of drugs. HSI is committed to our community, and we will not tolerate this violent behavior in our island.”

The indictment alleges that the defendants distributed controlled substances for significant financial gain and profit, and some of these narcotics were sent illegally by mail to the continental United States using the U.S. Postal Service.

The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, including as leaders, owners, enforcers, runners, sellers, and facilitators.

Twenty defendants are facing one charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The defendants charged in the indictment are:

• Armando L. Alicea-Santiago, a.k.a. “La Mami/Ñañito”
• Carlos E. Torres-Rivera
• Ismael A. Torres-Cintrón
• José A. Morales-Rivera
• José R. Torres-Santiago
• Juan C. Santiago-López
• Juan A. Hernández-Rivera
• Javier A. Acevedo-Torres
• José M. Hernández-Rivera
• María E. Acevedo-López
• Ernesto M. Hernández-Santiago
• Carlos A. Torres-López
• José A. Acevedo-Cruz
• Juan A. Morales-Torres
• José L. Hernández-Acevedo
• Carlos J. Acevedo-Torres
• María D. Morales-Rivera
• Juan A. Santiago-Santiago
• José A. Hernández-Torres
• Juan J. Acevedo-López
• Ernesto A. Morales-Santiago
• Carlos E. Torres-Santiago
• José L. Acevedo-Rivera
• Juan A. Hernández-De León
• José M. Torres-López
• María L. Acevedo-Rivera
• Juan A. Morales-Acevedo
• Ernesto J. Hernández-Santiago
• Carlos A. Santiago-Torres
• José A. Acevedo-Morales
• Juan A. Hernández-Santiago
• José L. Morales-Torres
• Juan J. Acevedo-De León
• Ernesto M. Torres-López

These individuals will be brought to justice for their alleged crimes.