Heroin and fentanyl have claimed another set of peddlers, as two brothers, Mizraim Vega, 27, of South Euclid, and Abimelec Vega, 25, of Cleveland, were indicted for conspiring to bring large amounts of these deadly substances to Northeast Ohio from Connecticut.
According to U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon and Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Cleveland Office, the six-count indictment charges the Vega brothers with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, acetylfentanyl and fentanyl, as well as additional substantive counts of distribution of heroin, fentanyl and acetylfentanyl in August and September.
Court documents revealed that Abimelec Vega identified himself as a member of the Latin Kings gang and could obtain large shipments of heroin and fentanyl from another Latin King member. The brothers’ operation was lucrative, with one sale of 80 grams of heroin fetching $8,000 on Aug. 26. However, Mizraim Vega showed some awareness of the dangers of their product, warning: “The one thing I’ll tell is to make sure to cut it (dilute the heroin). That stuff…you can’t send it to the street like that, it’s too strong. That stuff could kill someone, bro!”
Tragically, the Vega brothers’ warnings were not enough to prevent a fatal overdose. On Sept. 3, Abimelec Vega informed a source that he was changing phones because someone had died from heroin or fentanyl he had sold, according to court documents. Despite this, the brothers continued to sell their deadly wares, putting countless lives at risk.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Sweeney following an investigation by the FBI. If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. As the Vega brothers face justice, the community is reminded of the dangers of heroin and fentanyl, and the importance of holding those who peddle these substances accountable for their actions.
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Related Federal Cases
- Vega Brothers Get 6 Years for Deadly Heroin & Fentanyl Dealings · Ohio
- El Paso Man Raul Chavez Gets 12 Years for Cocaine Trafficking · Connecticut
- Hartford Cocaine Kingpin Todd Vernon Caged for 5 Years · Connecticut
- Lunsford Brothers, Jenkins Caged in Interstate Car Theft Ring · Kentucky
- Live Nation Faces Lone Fight: NY AG Rejects DOJ Deal · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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