CARIBBEAN NEWS
February 04, 2011
Contact: SA Waldo Santiago
Caribbean Division
(787) 277-4700
DEA, ICE Investigation Yields 23 Indicted on Money Laundering Charges
Money laundering forfeiture allegations for $2,064,362.14
DEA Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Javier F. Pea (at the podium) responds to questions from the media during the news conference at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Puerto Rico. From L-R James Dinkins, ICE Executive Associate Director for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and ICE HSI SAC Roberto Escobar listen to SAC Pea (at the podium) remarks..
(L-R) James Dinkins, ICE Executive Associate Director for HSI, Brigadier General Carlos Mena, Director of Criminal Investigations and INTERPOL Division of the Colombian National Police, ICE HSI SAC Roberto Escobar and DEA SAC Javier F. Pea discuss the progress of the arrest operation in Colombia. The Colombian National Police collaborated in the investigation and lead the execution of the arrests of seven Colombian based money launders targeted in the investigation.
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO  - Twenty-three individuals were charged in five different indictments by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and import controlled substances, announced United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodrguez-Vlez. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Caribbean Division, conducted the investigation under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. The Puerto Rico Police Department and the San Juan Municipal Police assisted during the arrest operation.
The first indictment alleges that, beginning on January 2007 and ending in or about January 2008, defendants Ricardo Betancourt-Muoz, aka "Tommy," Jos Ramon Parra-Botero, aka "Flecha," William Garzon, aka "Wilo," Carlos Maestre-Astacio, aka "Flechimono," Manuel De Jess Cedeo-Vilorio, Miguel ngel Builes-Mejas, aka "Migue," Jos Gmez-Cubero and Jos I. Valentin-Lpez, aka "Negro," conspired and engaged in financial transactions with proceeds generated by drug trafficking activities, in order to repatriate drug proceeds, which were located in the United States to Colombia, the source country of the narcotics, all for financial gain and profit. The forfeiture allegation involving the laundered drug proceeds in this case is in the amount of $877, 953.14.
The second indictment alleges that from January 2008 until February 2008, Cedeo-Vilorio, Maestre-Astacio, Luis Eduardo Pinzn-Mahecha, aka "Lucho," Juan Aguilar-Morales, Juan Rafael Mota-Cedeo, aka "Sobrino," and David Flores-Arriaga, aka "Cabezn," engaged in conspiracies to possess with intent to distribute and import cocaine and heroin. The forfeiture allegation in this indictment is for $248,400.00.
The third indictment alleges that Roberto Mndez-Hurtado, aka "Pluma Blanca," Luz Janet Daz-Galeano, aka "La Mona," Renaldo Zuiga-Uribe, aka "Muelas," Pinzn-Mahecha, Camilo Andrs Snchez-Valenzuela, aka "Loro," Miguel Hidalgo, Eric Hidalgo, Eddy De Los Santos and Jos Melndez engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering. The forfeiture allegation involving the laundered funds is for $1,805,284.00. Defendants Mndez-Hurtado and De Los Santos are also charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and import cocaine. The forfeiture allegation for any property or proceeds derived from the sale of the narcotics is for $2,990,000.00.
The fourth indictment charges defendants Maestre-Astacio and De Jess-Cedeo, along with Eliezer Roldn-Maldonado and Edgardo Rodrguez-Morales for their participation in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, with a forfeiture allegation of $48,000.00.
ICE, DEA, PRPD Agents execute an arrest warrant at one of the arrest locations in Puerto Rico during OCDETF Operation Side Show targeting a Caribbean based money laundering cell of the Norte del Valle Cartel.