A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico indicted Edwin Navarro-Artavia and Kyria Navarro-Santiago on March 5 for conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to a statement released March 19. The charges are part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat financial crimes linked to drug trafficking and organized crime. According to court documents, Navarro-Artavia and Navarro-Santiago allegedly used several real estate businesses to launder narcotics proceeds through property sales across Puerto Rico. While Kyria Navarro-Santiago is a licensed real estate professional, her father is not.
Prosecutors allege that the defendants facilitated transactions where buyers used drug proceeds for down payments and mortgage payments on homes, sometimes registering properties under straw purchasers' names or their own while leaving mortgages in sellers' names. They also reportedly opened personal and business bank accounts and used peer-to-peer payment systems to transfer illicit funds. The indictment covers 23 residential property purchases in multiple municipalities, with a forfeiture allegation of $3.3 million and 21 properties involved. This case is related to United States vs Nelson Torres-Delgado ("El Burro") and other defendants.
“These defendants and their drug trafficking associates exploited the financial system to launder their drug proceeds and acquire real properties. Financial institutions must remain vigilant to these types of schemes and report suspicious activity as required by federal law,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Sellers who facilitate these transactions and allow real properties and mortgages to remain in their names expose themselves to liability, as well.”
“Financial crimes are not victimless crimes. This case is an example of how on many occasions, these are enabling violent criminal enterprise operations, which have a direct impact on the quality of life of our communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Claudia Dubravetz of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico supports public safety by handling federal crimes including civil rights violations according to its official website. The office enforces federal laws through criminal prosecutions and civil litigation according to its official website, serving all areas within Puerto Rico according to its official website. Mechanisms are available for reporting crimes or frauds according to its official website, with efforts focused on issues such as public corruption and drug trafficking according to its official website.
Muldrow held the position of United States Attorney for this district according to its official website.
Navarro-Artavia and Navarro-Santiago face one count each of participating in a money laundering conspiracy, with initial court appearances scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Giselle López Soler. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison; sentencing will be determined by a federal judge based on guidelines and statutory factors.
The investigation involves multiple agencies including the FBI, ATF, local police departments, Department of Corrections, Department of Treasury (Hacienda), with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Vance Eaton.
An indictment is an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
