Windermere Woman Pleads Guilty In "Project Synergy” Drug Conspiracy

            Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that Camila Correa (25, Windermere) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, and witness tampering. She faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

            Camila Correa is the fifth Orlando defendant to plead guilty to drug trafficking and related charges concerning the importation and distribution of methylone and ethylone from China, into the Middle District of Florida. These Florida prosecutions are part of an international investigation headed by the Department of Justice’s Special Operations Division entitled Project Synergy. 

            According to court documents and evidence presented in this case, from no later than January 2014, through their arrests on March 18, 2015, Thiago Correa (“T. Correa”), Camila Correa (“C. Correa”), Travis Simmons, and others conspired to import and distribute no less than 25 kilograms of ethylone and methylone, also called “Molly” or “Mol,” from China, into Orlando, Melbourne, Titusville, Windermere, Orange and Brevard Counties. Additional controlled substances involved in this case are referred to as a-PVP and PVP. T. Correa was a leader and organizer in the conspiracy, in that he ordered the drugs from China, paid for and directed others to pay for the drugs, coordinated shipments, recruited and directed others to the drugs, and distributed and directed others to distribute the drugs. He also possessed and carried firearms during meetings wherein at least one other person was recruited to participate in the conspiracy. C. Correa recruited at least one other person to participate in the conspiracy, provided detailed directions regarding the receipt and transportation of several packages of ethylone, communicated messages to and from co-conspirators, and threatened and intimidated a witness believed to be providing information to federal authorities regarding the groups’ criminal activities. As part of his role in the conspiracy, Simmons transported ethylone, communicated messages, and recruited others to participate in the conspiracy. During the meeting to recruit others into the conspiracy, he also possessed firearms. 

            In late 2014, Eduardo Da Silva and Mirielson Macedo Pereira worked together to import over a kilogram of ethylone from China to Orlando. Da Silva had previously attempted to import additional ethylone from China and was found with money, drugs, and other evidence upon his arrest. 

Below is a chart indicating the status of the defendants’ court cases:

            “This conspiracy shows how massive quantities of synthetic drugs can enter our communities,” said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. “HSI special agents and our law enforcement partners, like the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, will continue to work together toward keeping dangerous and deadly substances from harming our citizens.”

            This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Bishop Ravenel.