MEMBER OF "THE COMPANY" SENTENCED FOR CONSPIRING TO IMPORT TONS OF DRUGS INTO U.S.

 FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Friday, July 31, 2015

Former Gulf Cartel Member Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for International Drug Trafficking

Ediel Lopez Falcon, a member of the Gulf Cartel, was sentenced today to serve 18 years in prison for conspiring to import multi-ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the United States.  Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made the announcement.

Lopez Falcon, 41, pleaded guilty on Feb. 3, 2015 before U.S. District Judge Barbara J. Rothstein of the District of Columbia.  In addition to imposing the prison term, the court ordered Lopez Falcon to forfeit $15 billion, which represents the gross receipts of the Gulf Cartel’s drug sales from its principal distribution centers located along the U.S.-Mexico border.

In connection with his guilty plea, Lopez Falcon admitted that he was a member of the Gulf Cartel, a Mexico-based criminal organization, also known as “The Company,” which was responsible for the distribution of multi-ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the United States.  According to the statement of facts to which Lopez Falcon admitted as part of his guilty plea, the Gulf Cartel maintained an armed faction, known as “Los Zetas,” which was made up of ex-military personnel, and that acted as enforcers and hit-men to protect the Gulf Cartel’s territory from rival drug traffickers.

In connection with his guilty plea, Lopez Falcon further admitted to supporting The Company’s mission by becoming directly involved in the importation of cocaine and marijuana into the United States and the transportation of drug proceeds back to Mexico from the United States.  Pretrial documents also reveal that Lopez Falcon was lawfully intercepted discussing shipments of cocaine and marijuana, the acquisition of weapons, and the transportation of bulk cash with his co-conspirators.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA’s Houston Field Division and the DEA Bilateral Investigation Unit and was part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation.  The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Adrián Rosales of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section.

105 ALLEGED LA ROMPE ONU ASSOCIATES INDICTED FOR RICO ACT VIOLATIONS IN PUERTO RICO

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

105 Individuals Indicted for Violating the RICO Act in Puerto Rico

A nine count federal indictment was unsealed today in the District of Puerto Rico charging 105 defendants with racketeering, drug trafficking, drive-by shooting murders and related firearm offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD)-San Juan and Carolina Strike Forces were in charge of the investigation, with the assistance of PRPD’s Major Crimes Unit.

The indictment alleges that the defendants are part of a criminal organization known as La Rompe ONU.  Through its criminal activities “La Rompe ONU” enriched its members and maintained and increased the power of the organization.  Members of La Rompe ONU would sell crack, cocaine, heroin and marihuana in public housing projects, including: Jardines del Paraíso, Villa Andalucía, Alturas de Cupey, Jardines de Cupey, Brisas de Cupey, Los Claveles, Nuestra Señora de Covodonga, Los Lirios, Jardines de Monte Hatillo, Jardines de Campo Rico, Jardines de Berwind, San Martín, Monte Park and Villa Lomas Verdes Public Housing Projects; as well as El Polvorín Ward, Mango Sector and other surrounding areas within the municipalities of San Juan, Trujillo Alto and Carolina, PR.  Moreover, members of the organization used violence and intimidation, including murder, to increase the power, territory and profits of La Rompe ONU.

Members of La Rompe ONU had different roles in order to further the goals of the enterprise.  As alleged in the indictment, 35 leaders/drug point owners/drug point administrators, who directed and supervised the organization’s criminal activities; 25 enforcers; eight suppliers; 11 runners; 25 sellers; and one drug processor.

According to the indictment, as part of the racketeering conspiracy, the organization committed 12 murders, including three massacres.  Enforcers of La Rompe ONU carried out the murders of the following individuals:

On Feb. 8, 2011, enforcers shot and killed David González-Reyes, aka “Chispa.”

On May 10, 2011, enforcers shot and killed Ricco Luis Dávila-Díaz.

On June 25, 2011, during a drive-by shooting, enforcers shot and killed Edwin Díaz-Cruz, Hervin Valcarcel-Martínez aka “Prieto,” Javier Catala-Bermúdez, and Orlando Meléndez-Villegas. This massacre is known as the Tortuguero Massacre.

On July 20, 2011, during a drive-by shooting, enforcers shot and killed Santos Díaz-Camacho aka “Joel Bazooka,” Juan Rosario-Mercado aka “Toñito,” and Kevin Soto-Román aka “El Gordo.” This massacre is known as the Paseos Massacre.

On Aug. 28, 2012, during a drive-by shooting, enforcers shot and killed Luis Ojeda-Andino aka “Pollo,” Luis Velázquez-Aquino aka “Urraca” and José Ayala-García. This massacre is known as the Jardines de Cupey Massacre.

According to the indictment, 69 of the 105 defendants are charged with using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Thirty-two firearms were seized from the defendants during the investigation, and they face a forfeiture allegation of $82 million.

“The historic indictment unsealed today shows our continued efforts to dismantle dangerous criminal organizations operating in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Rodríguez-Vélez.  “We remain undeterred in our commitment to ensure safety and seek justice for victims of violent crimes in Puerto Rico.  ‘La Rompe ONU’ will no longer terrorize law abiding citizens in Puerto Rico.  We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to build solid cases against these individuals, and bring them to justice.”

“Today’s arrests demonstrate law enforcement’s commitment to dismantle violent drug trafficking gangs that are affecting the quality of life of our law abiding citizens in the community,” said Special Agent in Charge Hugo Barrera for ATF’s Miami Field Division.  “The key to this fight is bringing the resources of all levels of government to empower law enforcement to target organized groups of violent criminals with enhanced punishment and criminal penalties through the utilization of federal statutes, such as, the Violent Crime in Aiding and Abetting Racketeering statute.  This sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate the heinous activity perpetrated by gangs like ‘La Rompe ONU’ and evidences our commitment to work together to dismantle violent street gangs.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort and Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández are in charge of the prosecution of the case.  They were assisted by attorney from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Capital Crimes Section and Organized Crime and Gang Section.  ATF and PRPD were in charge of the investigation.  Approximately 700 agents from federal and commonwealth authorities participated in the arrests.

If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison.  Eighteen of the defendants who participated in the murders included in the indictment are eligible for the death penalty.  Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt.  Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.