Five individuals were arrested on federal charges related to a drug trafficking organization accused of shipping over 20,000 kilograms of cocaine and more than $100 million in cash between Los Angeles and New York City using luxury private shipping companies. The arrests stem from a 10-count federal superseding indictment.
Three of those arrested—Jamel Donald Levy, Bruce Adams, and Cindy Rachel Imbert—are expected to appear in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Two others, Nohely Jimenez-Ruiz and Lorna Martinez (also known as “Cookie”), are scheduled for initial appearances in Los Angeles federal court.
The alleged ringleaders, David Rodriguez (also known as “Gotti” and “Fat Boy”) and Raymond O’Connell (also known as “Sal” and “White Boy”), remain in federal custody after being detained last year. Another defendant, Ronell Sweat, is currently serving a 15-year sentence following a guilty plea to a federal firearms charge.
Rodriguez and O’Connell face multiple charges including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and money laundering. Eight other members of the organization are charged under an indictment returned earlier this month.
According to the indictment, Rodriguez and O’Connell directed the purchase and storage of large quantities of cocaine in Los Angeles for distribution on the East Coast. The group allegedly operated out of an office disguised as a jewelry store within the California Jewelry Mart in downtown Los Angeles. From there, they shipped locked plastic cases containing cocaine through high-value freight forwarding companies specializing in transporting jewelry and fine art to New York City’s Diamond District.
Once received on the East Coast, co-conspirators redistributed the drugs. Drug proceeds were then sent back from New York to Los Angeles where they were laundered before being distributed within the organization.
Investigators reported that at least 1,300 parcels were shipped between Los Angeles and New York by this organization. More than 800 parcels containing cocaine weighed over 22 tons collectively with an estimated wholesale value around $315 million. Approximately 500 parcels shipped from New York back to Los Angeles declared values exceeding $105 million.
Authorities seized more than $2.8 million in cash drug proceeds along with over 725 kilograms of cocaine during their investigation. High-end vehicles and jewelry purchased with drug profits were also confiscated.
Law enforcement continues searching for Daniel Vega (“Nice”) and Gregory Antonio Benitez (“G.”), both from New York City.
“An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.”
If convicted on all counts, Rodriguez and O’Connell could face mandatory life sentences; other charges carry significant prison terms ranging up to life or up to 20 years for money laundering-related offenses.
The case is being investigated by several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), IRS Criminal Investigation division, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service—with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, United States Marshals Service, California Department of Justice, California Highway Patrol, and Glendale Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly Larocque and Jenna Williams from the Transnational Organized Crime Section along with Victor Rodgers from Asset Forfeiture are prosecuting this case.
