Fourteen individuals from Arroyo, Puerto Rico, have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The indictment was announced by W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau Guayama Strike Force, with assistance during arrests from Homeland Security Investigations Special Response Team.
“These arrests show the relentless determination of the United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable criminal enterprises that use violence and intimidation to control drug territory,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “We will continue to dismantle violent gangs and make our communities safer.”
Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, stated: “The FBI will not allow violent gangs to dictate the quality of life or diminish hope for the people of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Our office, together with our partners, will continue to dismantle criminal organizations fueling terror in our streets. The deliberate efforts of thugs to destroy prosperity will be met with the FBI’s relentless efforts to crush violent crime and defend the homeland.”
According to court documents, from 2020 through 2025, members of this organization distributed cocaine base (crack), cocaine, fentanyl or mixtures containing fentanyl analogues, and marijuana within 1,000 feet of Isidro Cora Public Housing Project as well as other areas near Arroyo for significant profit.
The indictment describes how defendants set up a drug distribution point inside three apartments at Isidro Cora PHP where sellers would use windows or balconies for transactions in order to avoid detection by authorities. Some group members mixed fentanyl into cocaine sold at these points and also combined xylazine—a veterinary tranquilizer—with fentanyl; records indicate at least two overdose deaths occurred among customers within Isidro Cora PHP.
Defendants are alleged to have taken on roles such as leaders, runners, sellers, and facilitators within the operation. The gang reportedly used force and intimidation against rival organizations as well as their own members—including beatings using various weapons like horse whips—to enforce discipline.
The individuals charged are Eduardo Contreras-Hernández (“Eddie/Paleta/Tipo/Paletita”), Juan Carlos Soto-Santos (“Juanka”), Jeremy E. Rodríguez-Cruz (“Gordo/Arabe”), Edwin García-González (“Tabaco”), José A. Torres-Figueroa (“Cholo”), José A. Ruiz-Morales (“Shano”), Yenaritza N. Escobar-Santiago (“Yuyo”), Hermenegildo Ruiz-Robledo, Mónica González-Rivera, Savon Lee-Ewin (“Gringo”), Joseph Rivera-Bustamante, José Melendez-Pizarro (“Cabrilla”), Victor Alexis Collazo-Bones (“Molle”), and Anyeli Andreina-Medina.
Eduardo Contreras-Hernández faces an additional charge for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; if convicted on all counts he could receive a minimum sentence of 15 years up to life imprisonment while others face between 10 years and life if convicted on drug charges alone. All those charged also face a narcotics forfeiture allegation totaling $2,850,900.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort (Chief of Gang Section), Teresa Zapata-Valladares (Deputy Chief), along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Daphne M. Cordero-Guilloty from Puerto Rico Department of Justice are prosecuting this case.
An indictment is an allegation only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
