Defendants Charged with Trafficking Large Quantities of Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Molly and Marijuana
A four-count indictment was unsealed today in United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York charging sixteen defendants with four narcotics trafficking conspiracies, including conspiracies to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine), ethylone (molly), and marijuana. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Anne Y. Shields at the federal courthouse in Central Islip.
The charges were announced by Robert L. Capers, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Diego Rodriguez, Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Michael Tangney, Commissioner, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
“This indictment should serve as notice to all gang members - we will not tolerate the flooding of our streets with illegal drugs. We are committed to rooting out all drug trafficking and gang activity on Long Island," stated United States Attorney Capers. Mr. Capers thanked the FBI, DEA Long Island Drug Task Force and LBPD for their assistance with the government’s investigation.
“Today, 16 members and associates of the Latin Kings Gang are facing charges related to drug trafficking in parts of Long Island. When criminal operatives and gangs bring in illegal drugs into our neighborhoods, they also bring violence, turf wars and other criminal activity. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to dismantle gang activity and keep our communities safe," said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriguez.
DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Hunt stated, “Today’s arrests have dismantled an alleged drug gang that preyed upon the Long Beach community. The indictment charges that this organization illegally distributed cocaine, crack cocaine, ethylone and marijuana; all of which furthered crime, addiction, and violence. Law enforcement worked collaboratively to reclaim this neighborhood for the law abiding citizens who deserve to live without intimidation, fear, and drug trafficking."
LBPD Commissioner Tangney stated, “The Long Beach Police Department is very appreciative of the assistance the FBI and DEA provided to the LBPD in this joint operation. Removing these dangerous individuals from our streets makes this community that much safer. This joint investigation was very successful and demonstrates that when federal and local law enforcement work together, great results are achieved."
As alleged in the government’s detention memorandum, the indictment is the product of a two-year investigation during which law enforcement identified the most prolific narcotics traffickers in the Long Beach area, including numerous members and associates of the Latin Kings street gang. Court-authorization was then obtained to intercept telephone communications between the defendants, all of whom were intercepted on multiple occasions engaging in narcotics trafficking activities. The charged conspiracies involved over 50 kilograms of cocaine, five kilograms of crack cocaine, two kilograms of molly, and 500 pounds of marijuana.
If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Amparo, A. Andujar, R. Andujar, Cerda, Cobb, Curry, Diggs, Fernandez, Ojedis, Ramirez, and Rupay face a maximum of life imprisonment. Ayala, Collins, Vanroten, and Wilson face a maximum of 40 years’ imprisonment, and Labella faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment. The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by the office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Lara Treinis Gatz, Mark E. Misorek, and Grace M. Cucchissi are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
Jose Giovanny Amparo
Age: 46
Bronx, New York
Amanda Andujar
Age: 26
Baldwin, New York
Roxanne Andujar
Age: 36
Baldwin, New York
Jordan Ayala
Age: 20
Long Beach, New York
Fernando Cerda
Age: 38
Long Beach, New York
Tysaun Cobb
Age: 24
Hempstead, New York
Arthur Collins
Age: 38
Island Park, New York
Travis Curry
Age: 37
Long Beach, New York
Sean Diggs
Age: 28
Long Beach, New York
Nelson Fernandez
Age: 35
Long Beach, New York
Frank Labella
Age: 35
Oceanside, New York
Daniel Ojedis
Age: 37
Baldwin, New York
Anthony Ramirez
Age: 29
Hempstead, New York
Ronald Rupay
Age: 35
Long Beach, New York
Gregory Vanroten
Age: 38
Baldwin, New York
Sly Wilson
Age: 30
Long Beach, New York
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
