Luis S. Rivera-Ruiz, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances, Puerto Rico 2021
25 Members of Violent Gang Charged with Drug Trafficking in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Twenty-five members of a violent gang in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
On March 29, 2021, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a six-count indictment charging the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and aiding and abetting in the possession/distribution of controlled substances.
The indictment alleges that from in or about the year 2016, to the date of the return of the indictment, the drug trafficking organization distributed cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), heroin, cocaine, and marihuana, within 1,000 feet of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Public Housing Project (PHP), and other areas in the municipality of Mayagüez, all for financial gain and profit.
The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the conspiracy, which included leaders, enforcers, runners, sellers, and facilitators.
The individuals indicted are:
- Luis S. Rivera-Ruiz, a/k/a “Pantera”
- Miguel Ángel Santiago-Jiménez, a/k/a “Miguelito”
- Kifran A. Casiano-Alayon
- Jeffrey E. González-Vargas
- Joseph Vélez-Mondessi, a/k/a “El Negro/Joe”
- Jordany Ayala-Vega
- Francheska Valle-Díaz, a/k/a “Cheska”
- Eduardo Rodríguez-Rodríguez, a/k/a “Edward”
- Chayanne Torres-Hernández
- Dianne Rivera-Rosas
- William F. Vélez-Borrero, a/k/a “El Negro”
- Emmanuel Alemar-Rosas
- José A. Rivera-Soto, a/k/a “Che”
- Nelson Rosario-Sánchez, a/k/a “El Menor/Nelsito”
- Roy Alexander Santiago-Vélez
- Isa Denisse Vélez-Cruz
- Keishla Marie Colón, a/k/a “Kei”
- Erickson Lugo-Méndez, a/k/a “Tripi”
- Kevin O. Montalvo-Ruiz, a/k/a “Keva”
- Kevin J. Rodríguez-Cruz
- Miguel Alfredo Ruiz-Rodríguez
- Yadiel Joebell Iglesias-Izquierdo
- Athdiel Aponte-Pérez, a/k/a “Bebe”
- Carlos G. Arce-Santiago
- Isben Jaret Rivera-Cardoza
The indictment alleges that the defendants used force, violence, and intimidation to maintain control of the areas in which they operated.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Pedro R. Casablanca and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Yanira Colón-García are in charge of the prosecution.
This case is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) Mayagüez Strike Force.
The defendants are facing one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. No sentence or outcome has been reported.
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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