Eight Indicted for Smuggling Drugs into Puerto Rico Prison, Guaynabo PR, 2024

GUAYNABO, PR – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico has returned a 14-count indictment charging eight individuals with drug trafficking, conspiracy to provide contraband in prison, and conspiracy to commit identity theft, in a case dubbed the ‘Puerto Rico prison drug smuggling case.’

The indictment alleges that from July 2023 to May 2024, the defendants conspired to provide Buprenorphine (Suboxone), ketamine, and fentanyl to inmates housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, by introducing envelopes purporting to be legal mail.

The defendants, identified as José J. Rodríguez-Cumba, a/k/a ‘Chambi’, Richard Cruz-Monzón, Yarelis I. Colón-Ríos, Yarushka M. De León-Acosta, a/k/a ‘La Secretaria’, Edwin D. González-Reyes, a/k/a ‘Cotto’, José J. López-Pellot, Christina M. Rodríguez-Cumba, a/k/a ‘Nani’, and Selena Crespo-Dumeng, are facing one count of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of conspiracy to provide contraband in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit identity theft.

Six of the defendants are also facing aggravated identity theft charges. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison, including a mandatory minimum consecutive sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft.

‘This case should send a clear message to those who attempt to smuggle illegal contraband into a federal facility that we will investigate and prosecute this criminal activity,’ said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division and the FBI are investigating the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Alberto López-Rocafort and his team in charge of the prosecution.

The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of contraband in correctional institutions, with fentanyl exposure posing a significant threat to inmates and correctional staff alike.

As the investigation continues, the Grimy Times will provide updates on the case and its developments.

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