33 Individuals Charged With Drug Trafficking In The Municipality Of Cayey

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On November 9, 2015, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned a six-count indictment against 33 defendants charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Immigration and Customs Enforcement- Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD), Guayama Strike Force, are in charge of the investigation.

The indictment alleges that beginning in 2008, the organization distributed heroin, crack, cocaine, marihuana, Oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet), and Alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax) within 1,000 feet of a real property comprising Luis Muñoz Morales and Brisas de Cayey Public Housing Projects, San Tomás and Canteras Wards, and other areas nearby and within the Municipality of Cayey, Puerto Rico, all for financial gain and profit.

The 33 defendants are: Edgardo Ramos-Vicente, aka “Galdo;” Jean Carlos Ramos-Vicente, aka “Masimbo;” Ángel M. Meléndez-Mercado, aka “Cachete;” Héctor Luis Malavé-Guzmán, aka “Flaco;” Jean Carlos Vázquez, aka “Yankee;” Ismael Rivera-Torres, aka “Momo;” Carlos J. Ríos-Santos, aka “Charlie Ceja;” Carlos Salvania-Bonilla, aka “Charlito;” Erick X. Vázquez-Vicente, aka “Erick Chino;” Jayson Vázquez-Vicente, aka “Simbad;” Francisco Xavier Vázquez-Alvarado, aka “Guacharito;” Oscar Luis Mendoza-Flroes, aka “Luiggi;” Brian González, aka “Tetin;” John C. Suárez-Martínez, aka “Jota;” Pedro L. Kuilan-Álvarez, aka “Café;” Victor J. Veguilla-Martínez, aka “Javier El Gordo;” Victor M. Rodríguez-Ayala, aka “Matatán;” Christian Reyes-Llera, aka “Finqui;” Juan C. Muller-Vázquez, aka “Muller;” Jonathan Alvarado-Vega, aka “Transfor;” Gerardo Bonilla-Suárez, aka “El Vizco;” José D. Suárez-Martínez, aka “Spider;” Humberto Rivera-López, aka “Chono;” Joseph Díaz-Morales; Christian Rivera-Rivera, aka “Alfalfa;” Gerome Malavé-Guzmán, aka “7 Pisos;” Luis A. López-Torres, aka “Pinguita;” Arnaldo Lleras-Corredor, aka “Chata;” Edgardo Ramos-meléndez, aka “Galdito;” Yeexsaira Malavé-Rodríguez, aka La China;” Louis A. Pabón-Meléndez, aka “Chava;” and Mercedes Vega-Vázquez, aka “Cede & Chichi.”

The 33 co-conspirators acted in different roles in order to further the goals of the conspiracy, to wit: leader, managers/drug owners, enforcers, runners, drug processors, sellers, and lookouts. Thirty-one of the defendants are facing one count of possession of firearms of different brands and calibers, including fully automatic weapons, in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.

The indictment alleges that, as part of the manner and means of the conspiracy, some of the defendants and their co-conspirators would use social media to post pictures of co-conspirators in possession of firearms, to promote their drug trafficking activities, and to threaten witnesses. The defendants would take pictures of themselves with cellular phones, in possession of firearms and the drugs that they distributed.

Assistant U.S. Attorney César Rivera-Giraud is in charge of the prosecution of the case.  If convicted the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.