News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 14, 2012
Contact: Mia Ro, PIO
Number: 954-660-4602

Nineteen Charged in West Palm Area Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking Ring

March 14 (West Palm Beach, FL) – Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, and Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, announce the indictment of nineteen individuals in connection with a heroin and cocaine trafficking distribution conspiracy in the West Palm Beach area. Fifteen defendants were arrested today and are scheduled for initial appearances before federal Magistrate Judge James M. Hopkins on March 15, 2012. Still at large are defendants Perfecto Anciso, Jose Rivera, Samuel DeJesus, and Jessica Faber.

Charged in the indictment are:

Adrian Mendez (aka “Tony,” aka “T,” aka “Boss,” aka “Head”), 33, of Loxahatchee;
Raul DelToro (aka “Mark”), 39, of Lake Worth;
Jose Luis DelToro (aka “Joe Joe”), 41, of Lake Worth;
Amelia Mendez, 58, of Lake Worth;
David Ochoa (aka “Chooch”), 36, of Lake Worth;
Perfecto Anciso (aka “Alex,” aka “Carlos”), 32, of West Palm Beach,
Jose Rivera (aka “Cash”), 31, of Lake Worth;
Ericka Figueroa (aka “Marilyn”), 19, of Lake Worth;
Jose Enrique Rodriguez (aka “Macho”), 28, of Lake Worth;
Lazaro Figueroa (aka “Eddie,” aka “Laz”), 33, of Lake Worth;
Fabian Figueroa (aka “Frankie”), 25, of West Palm Beach;
Miguel Montalvo (aka “Pancho”), 27, of Lake Worth;
Kristi Baiano, 30, of Lake Worth;
Samuel DeJesus (aka “Pete”), 33, of Lake Worth;
Jessica Faber, 27, of Lake Worth
Jewich Valdez (aka “Joe”), 33, of Royal Palm Beach;
Rafael Cabasa (aka “Biggs”), 26, of Lake Worth;
Tracy Young, 46, of Lake Worth.

More specifically, the indictment charges defendants Adrian and Amelia Mendez, Raul and Jose Luis Del Toro, Ochoa, Anciso, Rivera, Ericka, Fabian And Lazaro Figueroa, Adams, Montalvo, Baiano, De Jesus, Valdez, Cabasa and Young with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. If convicted, the defendants face a minimum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life in prison.

Defendants Adrian Mendez, Jose Luis DelToro, Valdez and Young are also charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1). If convicted, the defendants face a minimum statutory sentence of 5 years in prison, and a maximum of 40 years in prison.

Defendants Adrian and Amelia Mendez, Raul and Jose Luis DelToro, Anciso, Rivera, Ericka, Fabian and Lazaro Figueroa, Adams, Montalvo, Baiano, Dejesus, Faber, Valdez, Cabasa and Young are also charged with possession with intent to distribute or distribution of heroin, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1). If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory sentence 20 years in prison.

Defendants Adrian and Amelia Mendez and Raul and Jose Luis DelToro are also charged with maintaining a drug-involved premises, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 856(a)(1). If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison.

Defendants DeJesus, Anciso and Faber are also charged with distribution of heroin and cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1). If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Boynton Beach Police Department, the Delray Beach Police Department, and the West Palm Beach Police Department. Mr. Ferrer also thanked the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division for their assistance in this matter.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.