19 YEAR POLICE VETERAN CONVICTED OF PROVIDING SECURITY FOR DRUG TANSACTION

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Monday, May 14, 2012
Nineteen-Year Police Veteran Convicted in Puerto Rico for Role in Providing Armed Security for Drug Transaction

WASHINGTON – A 19-year veteran of the Police of Puerto Rico was convicted today by a federal jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for her role in providing security for a drug transaction, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodriguez-Velez of the District of Puerto Rico and Special Agent in Charge Joseph S. Campbell of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.

Yamil Navedo Ramirez, 39, was convicted of one count of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug transaction.  She was acquitted of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.
Navedo Ramirez was charged in a superseding indictment returned on Oct. 28, 2010, along with 88 law enforcement officers in Puerto Rico and 42 other individuals, as part of the FBI undercover operation known as Guard Shack.

According to the evidence presented in court, Navedo Ramirez provided security for what she believed was an illegal drug transaction on April 14, 2010.  In fact, the purported drug transaction was part of the undercover FBI operation.  According to information presented at trial, Navedo Ramirez acted as a security guard for what she believed was a 12-kilogram cocaine deal by helping to frisk the buyer, providing armed protection for the deal using her Police of Puerto Rico service weapon, and escorting the buyer in and out of the transaction.

In return for the security she provided, Navedo Ramirez received a cash payment of $2,000.

U.S. District Judge Juan Pérez-Giménez scheduled sentencing for Sept. 21, 2012.  At sentencing, Navedo Ramirez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Kevin Driscoll and Monique Abrishami of the Public Integrity Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  The case was investigated by the FBI.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico also participated in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

THREE MEN CONVICETED OF BEING SECURITY GUARDS DURING DRUG TRANSACTIONS

FROM DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WEBSITE
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Three Men Convicted in Puerto Rico for Roles in Providing Armed Security for Drug Transactions

WASHINGTON – Three men, including a former officer with the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections, were convicted by a federal jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, yesterday for their roles in providing security for drug transactions, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodriguez-Velez of the District of Puerto Rico and Special Agent in Charge Joseph S. Campbell of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.

Wendell Rivera Ruperto, 37, was convicted of five counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, five counts of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and five counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug transaction.

Bernis Gonzalez Miranda, 27, a former Puerto Rico Department of Corrections officer, was convicted of three counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, three counts of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and three counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug transaction.

Jose M. Nieves-Velez, 39, was convicted of one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, attempting to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug transaction.

Rivera Ruperto, Gonzalez Miranda and Nieves-Velez were charged in a superseding indictment returned on Oct. 28, 2010, along with 88 law enforcement officers in Puerto Rico and 42 other individuals, as part of the FBI undercover operation known as Guard Shack.

According to the evidence presented in court, Rivera Ruperto provided security for what he believed were illegal cocaine deals on five separate occasions (April 14, April 27, June 9, June 25, and Sept. 16, 2010); Gonzalez Miranda on three separate occasions (June 15, July 2, and July 7, 2010); and Nieves-Velez on one occasion (July 7, 2010).  In fact, the purported drug transactions were part of the undercover FBI operation.  According to information presented at trial, the three men acted as security guards for what they believed were multi-kilogram cocaine deals by frisking the buyer, providing armed protection for the deal and escorting the buyer in and out of the transaction.  Information presented at trial also showed that Rivera Ruperto and Gonzalez Miranda recruited other individuals, including law enforcement officers, to participate in the transactions.
One of those officers, Jose Bermudez Quinones, a Puerto Rico Department of Corrections officer recruited by Gonzalez Miranda, pleaded guilty on Feb. 2, 2012, to attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15, 2012.

In return for the security they provided, Rivera Ruperto, Gonzalez Miranda and Nieves-Velez received cash payments of $2,000 for each transaction, and in one instance, Rivera Ruperto received $3,000.

U.S. District Judge Juan Pérez-Giménez scheduled sentencing for Aug. 10, 2012.  At sentencing, Rivera Ruperto faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 115 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison; Gonzalez Miranda faces a mandatory minimum of 65 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison; and Nieves-Velez faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Kevin Driscoll and Monique Abrishami of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.  The case was investigated by the FBI.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also provided assistance in this case.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico also participated in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

FORMER PUERTO RICO POLICE OFFICER CONVICTED FOR GUARDING DRUG TRANSACTIONS

The following excerpt is from the U.S. Department of Justice website:
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Former San Juan, Puerto Rico, Police Department Officer Convicted for Role in Providing Security for Drug Transactions
WASHINGTON – A former officer with the San Juan, Puerto Rico, Municipal Police Department was convicted by a federal jury yesterday for his role in providing security for drug transactions, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodriguez-Velez of the District of Puerto Rico and Special Agent in Charge Joseph S. Campbell of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.

Arcadio Hernandez-Soto, 35, was convicted in San Juan of three counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, four counts of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and four counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug transaction.   Hernandez-Soto was charged in an indictment unsealed on Oct. 6, 2010, along with 89 law enforcement officers in Puerto Rico and 44 other individuals, as part of the FBI undercover operation known as Guard Shack.

According to the evidence presented in court, Hernandez-Soto provided security for what he believed were illegal cocaine deals on May 8, 2009; June 4, 2009; July 23, 2009; and July 13, 2010, but which in fact were part of the undercover FBI operation.   According to information presented at trial, Hernandez-Soto was employed as a member of the San Juan Police Department but acted as a security guard for what he believed were cocaine deals by frisking the buyer, providing protection for the deal and escorting the buyer in and out of the transaction.  Information presented at trial also showed that Hernandez-Soto recruited other police officers to participate in the second, third and fourth deals.

In return for the security he provided, Hernandez-Soto received a cash payment of between $2,000 and $3,000 for each transaction.

U.S. District Judge Carmen C. Cerezo did not schedule a sentencing date.  At sentencing, Diaz faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 90 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys John P. Pearson and Richard B. Evans of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.   The case was investigated by the FBI.   The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico also participated in the investigation and prosecution of this case.

MAN CONVICTED OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND NARCO-TERRORISM

The following excerpt is from the Department of Justice website:
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Haji Bagcho Convicted by Federal Jury in Washington, D.C., on Drug Trafficking and Narco-terrorism Charges Afghan National Trafficked More Than 123,000 Kilograms of Heroin in 2006
WASHINGTON – An Afghan national with ties to the Taliban was convicted today by a jury in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia of conspiracy, distribution of heroin for importation into the United States and narco-terrorism, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Administrator Michele M. Leonhart of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
 
Haji Bagcho, from Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, was investigated by the DEA for narcotics offenses.  The investigation revealed that Bagcho was one of the largest heroin traffickers in the world and manufactured the drug in clandestine laboratories along Afghanistan’s border region with Pakistan.  Bagcho sent heroin to more than 20 countries, including the United States.  Proceeds from his heroin trafficking were then used to support high-level members of the Taliban to further their insurgency in Afghanistan.
Beginning in 2005 and continuing for the next five years, the DEA, in cooperation with Afghan authorities, conducted an investigation of Bagcho’s organization.  With the help of cooperating witnesses, the DEA purchased heroin directly from the organization on two occasions, which Bagcho understood was destined for the United States.  They also conducted several searches of residences belonging to Bagcho and his associates, recovering evidence consistent with drug trafficking.  During one search, ledgers belonging to the defendant were found.  One ledger, cataloguing Bagcho’s activities during 2006, reflected heroin transactions of more than 123,000 kilograms, worth more than $250 million, according to Bagcho’s ledger.   Based on heroin production statistics compiled by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime for 2006, the defendant’s trafficking accounted for approximately 20% of the world’s total production for that year.
The investigation also obtained evidence that over several years, Bagcho used a portion of his drug proceeds to provide the former Taliban governor of Nangarhar Province and two Taliban commanders responsible for insurgent activity in eastern Afghanistan with cash, weapons and other supplies so that they could continue their “jihad” against western troops and the Afghan government.

“Haji Bagcho was a prolific and dangerous heroin manufacturer, trafficking in over 123,000 kilograms of the drug in 2006 alone,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer.  “Moreover, he used proceeds from his crimes to fund Taliban insurgents and fuel their ongoing ‘jihad’ against the United States and others.  The effects of Bagcho’s criminal activity were felt all over the world, and today’s guilty verdict ensures that he will serve a lengthy prison term.”

“One of the world’s most prolific drug trafficker’s reign has come to an end,” said DEA Administrator Leonhart.  “Now Haji Bagcho will serve time behind bars on the same soil he sought to destroy with his drugs, and whose troops he sought to kill through his support to the Taliban.  DEA stands committed to stopping narco-traffickers, like Bagcho, and their funding of terror.”

A grand jury returned an indictment against Bagcho on Nov. 8, 2006, charging him with distributing heroin, knowing that it would be imported into the United States.  A superseding indictment returned on Jan. 28, 2010, added additional charges of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of heroin, knowing or intending that it would be imported in the United States, as well as engaging in drug trafficking knowing or intending to provide something of pecuniary value to a terrorist or terrorist organization.  Bagcho was brought to the United States on June 24, 2009.  He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison.  A sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Ellen S. Huvelle on June 12, 2012.

The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Matthew Stiglitz and Marlon Cobar of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section.  The case was investigated by the DEA Special Operations Division in the United States, with assistance from the DEA’s Foreign Deployed Advisory Support Team and Kabul Country Office in Afghanistan, the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, and in close cooperation with Afghan law enforcement.  The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs provided invaluable support.

MAN GETS LIFE SENTENCE FOR ROLE IN TRIPLE MURDER

The following excerpt is from the Department of Justice website:

December 14, 2011
WASHINGTON - A Bridgeport, Conn., man was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill to life in prison for his role in the murder of three Bridgeport residents in August 2005, said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney David B. Fein for the District of Connecticut.

Azikiwe Aquart, aka “Z” and “Ziggy,” 32, pleaded guilty on Aug. 26, 2011, to three counts of murder in aid of racketeering.  In pleading guilty, Aquart admitted that he agreed to participate in what he believed would be a robbery with his brother and others.  Aquart admitted that after he and his co-conspirators entered the apartment, he murdered James Reid, while other participants in the crime murdered Tina Johnson and Basil Williams.

According to court documents, statements made in court and evidence introduced during the spring 2011 trial of Azibo Aquart, Azikiwe Aquart’s brother, Azibo Aquart was the founder and leader of a drug trafficking group that primarily sold crack cocaine out of an apartment building on Charles Street in Bridgeport.  Azibo Aquart and his associates participated in acts of violence, such as threats and assaults, to maintain their control over the group’s drug distribution activities at the Charles Street Apartments.  In the summer of 2005, Azibo Aquart and his associates became involved in a drug trafficking dispute with Johnson, a resident of Charles Street Apartments who sometimes sold smaller quantities of crack cocaine without the approval of Azibo Aquart.  On the morning of Aug. 24, 2005, Azibo Aquart, Azikiwe Aquart and others entered an apartment at the Charles Street housing facility and murdered Johnson, her boyfriend Reid and her friend Williams.  The three victims were bound with duct tape and brutally beaten to death with baseball bats.
On May 23, 2011, after a month-long trial, a federal jury in New Haven, Conn., found Azibo Aquart guilty of the murders of Johnson, Reid and Williams.  On June 15, 2011, the jury voted unanimously to impose the federal death penalty against Azibo Aquart for his role in the murders.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Bridgeport Police Department, Connecticut State Police, Connecticut Department of Correction’s Intelligence Unit, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Bridgeport States Attorney’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy L. Dayton, Peter D. Markle, Alina P. Reynolds of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut, and Trial Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss of the Criminal Division’s Capital Case Unit.”