Founder and Former Owner of Yuca Sentenced for His Role in a Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

Miami-Dade County resident sentenced for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and A.D. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.

Efrain Veiga, 64, of Miami, was sentenced yesterday to twenty-four months imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Veiga had previously pled guilty to violating Title 21, United States Code, Section 846.

According to court records, Veiga was the founder and former owner of Yuca, a restaurant in Miami Beach, Florida.  In November 2014, the DEA initiated an investigation into Veiga’s drug-trafficking activities, based on information that Veiga was distributing methamphetamine in Miami Beach.  On November 21, 2014, the DEA conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Veiga at his apartment, during which Veiga sold approximately 70 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $3,600.  The drug transaction was captured on video.  A subsequent laboratory analysis of the methamphetamine determined the drug was 94.7% pure.  On December 4, 2014, the DEA executed a search warrant at Veiga’s apartment.  DEA agents found digital scales, a portion of the funds used for the controlled purchase and a bag containing a small portion of methamphetamine.  Upon entering the apartment’s bathroom, agents also found a plastic bag containing methamphetamine residue floating in the toilet.  Two individuals who occupied the residence at the time of the search had attempted to dispose of the methamphetamine.  The bag had contained two ounces of methamphetamine.

This case was the result of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The OCDETF mission is to identify, investigate, and prosecute high level members of drug trafficking enterprises, bringing together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement.

Mr. Ferrer commended the DEA for their work on this investigation.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Brady, Jr.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.