A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico has indicted 56 members of a violent gang on charges including drug trafficking, firearms violations, and murder. The indictment was announced by W. Stephen Muldrow, the United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. This investigation involved several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau Carolina Strike Force.
U.S. Attorney Muldrow stated, "The prosecution of this drug trafficking organization exemplifies our ongoing efforts to dismantle drug gangs and reduce violent crime and gun violence." He thanked various law enforcement partners for their work on this case.
Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, emphasized the collaborative effort in combating violent gangs: “Combatting violent gangs requires a whole-of-society approach."
The indictment details that from 2021 until now, the accused distributed drugs like heroin and fentanyl near public housing projects in San Juan and Carolina. The group allegedly operated under an alliance called "La Paz" to control drug activities using force and intimidation.
The alliance's activities extended beyond Puerto Rico as they transported cocaine to the continental United States. They also engaged in illegal firearms trafficking through social media platforms.
Some defendants are accused of using corrupt police officers to gain information about rival gangs. These officers allegedly accessed law enforcement databases to provide privileged information.
The defendants face serious charges with significant penalties if convicted. Thirty-seven are charged with possession of firearms related to drug crimes, while others face machinegun possession charges.
Count Nine includes charges related to the murder of Sergeant Eliezer Ramos Vélez during a conspiracy event on March 29, 2024. Five defendants could face the death penalty if convicted for firearm-related murder.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort, Teresa Zapata-Valladares, Laura Díaz-González, R. Vance Eaton, and Joseph Russell are handling prosecution duties under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative aimed at disrupting high-level criminal organizations threatening U.S security.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
