Tampa, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, four men have been indicted for their alleged involvement in a massive cocaine trafficking operation in Tampa, Florida.
Eber Alexander Lopez, 49, Eduardo Ponce Tondee, 44, Jaime Ayala Rivera, 41, and John Hernandez Martin, 44, all from Tampa, have been charged with conspiracy and distribution of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.
If convicted on all counts, each defendant faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison.
According to the indictment, which was unsealed on December 2023 and August 2024, the defendants were part of a conspiracy that used the U.S. mail to ship kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to the Middle District of Florida for distribution.
In total, FBI agents seized more than 8 kilograms of cocaine that were destined for the Tampa Bay area, and approximately $87,000 in drug proceeds.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Tampa Police Department.
It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
Related Federal Cases
- Arnold Clayton, Cocaine and Cocaine Base Distribution, Florida 2012 · Puerto Rico
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- Keire Terrell Harvey, Crack Cocaine Distribution, Florida 2013 · Puerto Rico
- Erik Barner, Cocaine Distribution, Florida 2023 · Puerto Rico
- Nicole Diaz, Cocaine Conspiracy, Florida 2022 · Puerto Rico
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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