Ñeta Prison Gang, RICO Act, Puerto Rico 2023

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Table of Contents

Ñeta Prison Gang, RICO Act, Puerto Rico 2023

San Juan, PR – In a major victory for law enforcement, the United States successfully concluded its third trial against the top leaders and enforcers of La Asociación ÑETA prison gang in Puerto Rico, resulting in the conviction of 14 ÑETA members, including the organization’s supreme leader and his main lieutenants and assassins.

The prosecution of La Asociación ÑETA began in 2016 when a federal grand jury issued an indictment charging over 40 members of the group with conspiring to violate the RICO Act, drug trafficking, and murder in aid of racketeering. La Asociación ÑETA was a criminal organization that engaged in drug trafficking and murder within the prisons of the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The enterprise, which was originally formed by inmates as a means to advocate for their rights, evolved into a criminal organization that made money from introducing and distributing multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and heroin into the PRDCR prisons for profit and engaging in murders for hire.

Members of the enterprise used corrupt PRDCR correctional officers, civilians who worked inside the prison system, people who visited inmates, and persons who threw drugs into the facilities to introduce drugs into the prisons. They also introduced cellular telephones into the prisons and charged a fee to other inmates for using the same.

The convicted defendants included the leadership of the enterprise, its drug trafficking network, corrupt PRDCR correctional officers, and the members who perpetrated murder in furtherance of the enterprise. The ÑETA prosecution disrupted and decimated the gang, helping to clean up the PRDCR by ridding it of corrupt officials and holding accountable those responsible for introducing drugs and murdering others in prison for profit.

‘I want to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the Assistant US Attorneys and support staff who worked so hard in the investigation and prosecution of this violent gang, the FBI, and the Department of Corrections agents and officials who participated in this substantial investigation which after three years resulted in today’s convictions,’ said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.

‘This prison cartel, which specialized in murder, assault, and drug trafficking, was as dangerous, and as sophisticated, as any organized crime network in modern history. Today’s verdicts represent a major milestone in federal law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute violent crime, regardless of where it takes place,’ said Douglas A. Leff, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, San Juan Field Office.

Assistant United States Attorney Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández led the prosecution of this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander Alum and Scott Anderson were co-counsel at trial.