ORLANDO, FL – The streets of Orlando are a little less flooded with poison today, but the rot runs deep. Sixteen individuals have admitted guilt in a sprawling drug trafficking conspiracy dubbed “Operation Titan Fall,” according to court documents unsealed this week. The DEA investigation ripped through three separate drug trafficking organizations, exposing a network dealing in lethal amounts of fentanyl and cocaine.
The most serious charges center around Alexander Acosta-Zapata, who pleaded guilty December 13, 2022, to trafficking 5 kilograms of cocaine and 400 grams of fentanyl. He’s facing 15 years to life in prison when sentenced April 10, 2023. Frank Cadiz, similarly implicated in moving 5 kilograms of cocaine, entered a guilty plea December 14, 2022, and stares down the same grim sentence on March 20, 2023. Adal Antonio Navas-Feliciano, guilty of 400 grams of fentanyl (pleaded 1/18/23, sentencing 4/10/23) also faces 15 years to life.
But it wasn’t just the high-level distributors. The DEA’s probe snared a wide range of players. Jonathan Andres Marte-Rodriguez (5 kg cocaine, plea 2/8/23, sentencing TBD) faces 10 to life. Juan Felipe Sanchez (40 grams fentanyl, plea 2/7/22, sentencing 4/24/23) could receive 10 years to life. Nimesh Rashmikant Patel (500 grams cocaine, plea 2/9/23, sentencing TBD) faces a decade behind bars. Joseph Juan Torres-Torres (500 grams cocaine, plea 9/7/22, sentenced 12/21/22) received a comparatively light 5-year sentence. Gabriel Isaac Irizarry-Aponte (500 grams cocaine, plea 2/10/23, sentencing TBD) is looking at 5-40 years.
The operation uncovered a bizarre branding scheme, with traffickers apparently identifying their product by logos – an anchor or a Ferrari – stamped on the cocaine packaging. This wasn’t a victimless crime, either. The DEA seized an estimated 110 kilograms of cocaine and significant amounts of fentanyl, pulled from the mail, during traffic stops, and through aggressive search warrants. The feds also seized cash and other assets linked to the illegal operation. A particularly disturbing find at the home of Carlos Alberto Roman (cocaine, firearm w/silencer, plea 12/6/22, sentencing 3/14/23) revealed 19 firearms, six silencers, three flash-bang grenades, and “thousands” of rounds of ammunition. He’s facing 30 years to life. James Richard Howell (cocaine, fentanyl, plea 12/5/22, sentencing 3/14/23) could spend up to 20 years in prison.
Further down the line, Jacob Nelson (500 grams cocaine, plea 1/25/23, sentencing 4/17/23) faces 10 years to life, while Joely Manuel Burgos (40 grams fentanyl, plea 12/28/22, sentencing 3/13/23) is looking at 5-40 years. Kenneth Angel Vera (cocaine, plea 12/6/22, sentencing 3/14/23) could receive up to 20 years. James Mirabal, linked to a 50-kilogram cocaine seizure in April 2022, pleaded guilty December 27, 2022, to trafficking 5 kilograms of cocaine and faces 10 years to life on March 20, 2023. Jonathan Beharry, connected to a 20-kilogram cocaine seizure in October 2022, pleaded guilty November 29, 2022, and received 15 years to life on February 13, 2023. Finally, Vilnarie Figueroa-Matos (5 kilograms cocaine, plea 1/30/23, sentencing 4/17/23) faces 10 years to life.
The DEA isn’t celebrating. While these convictions represent a victory, agents know for every one they nail, two more are waiting to take their place. The demand for these drugs fuels the violence and corruption that continues to plague the nation. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities vowing to continue dismantling these criminal networks, one kilogram, one gun, one arrest at a time. The DEA seized $39,560 upon the arrest of Beharry and continues to pursue asset forfeiture.
Related Federal Cases
- Tal Alexander Sentenced for Leading Manhattan Drug Trafficking Oper… · Florida
- Octavius R. Henderson Sentenced to 20 Years for Cocaine Trafficking… · Nevada
- Lawrence E. Tipton, Cocaine Trafficking and Tax Evasion, Ohio, 2023 · Illinois
- Orlando Pascual Jr., HIV Treatment Medicare Fraud, Miami FL, 2023 · Alabama
- King Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin Cocaine and Metha… · California
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News