Thursday, November 13, 2014

Long-Term Narcotics Investigation Nets 13 Arrests

On Nov. 13, 2014, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, along with its partners at Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Drug Enforcement Administration, conducted an operation to arrest those involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy that has spanned decades in South Florida.

This investigation, initiated by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, has been ongoing for approximately two years.

“The individuals who have been arrested in connection with this investigation are part of a drug trafficking organization that has plagued the citizens of South Florida for decades,” Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “Some have previous arrests and others have evaded arrest until now.”

The conspiracy was not confined to any single jurisdiction and arrests have been made in Dade, Collier and Lee counties Thursday.  Residences and vehicles were searched based on K-9 alerts, consent and search warrants. During the searches U.S. currency, vehicles, firearms and narcotics were seized at various locations.

"We, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Collier County Sheriff's Office, have brought down this large-scale drug trafficking ring that has funnelled drugs onto South Florida streets for years. My Office of Statewide Prosecution will aggressively prosecute these defendants," stated Attorney General Pam Bondi.

During the investigation detectives seized or purchased more than 13 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of $442,000. Those involved in the conspiracy conspired to traffic approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of approximately $1.02 million.

On Thursday, detectives seized approximately 10 ounces/283 grams of cocaine with a street value of $13,000, approximately 6 pounds of high-grade marijuana with a street value of $18,000, approximately 14.46 ounces/405 grams of methamphetamine with a street value $15,000, 6.5 grams of Xanax, four vehicles, two handguns and more than $40,000 in U.S. currency.      

Some people connected to the organization have yet to be located. Their warrants will remain active until they are apprehended.

Summary of the allegations and charges:

Erlin Y. Carrasco

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 2,710 ounces (75,904) grams of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5) (first-degree felony).
  • Trafficking in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(1)(b)(1)(c).

Jonny Gonzalez-Tia

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 51 ounces (1,428 grams) of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).

Tomas E. Ruiz-Serrano

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 402 ounces (11,259 grams) of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).

Francisco Gato Jr.

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 972 ounces (27,216 grams) of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).
  • Trafficking in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(1) (b) (1) (c).        

Enrique Henry Lesende

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 289 ounces (8,092 grams) of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).

Fredrico Solis-Contreras

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 979 ounces (27,422 grams) of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).
  • Trafficking in cocaine 28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(1) (b) (1) (a).

Jose Miguel Diaz

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 385 ounces (10,780 grams) of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).
Juan Rafael Ramos

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 4 ounces (112 grams) of cocaine

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).

Cristopher Thomas Ocampo

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).

Joel Melqui Vanegas

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 3 ounces (84 grams) of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).

Jeronimo Mendez-Cruz

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 3 ounces (84 grams) of cocaine.

  • Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).

Orlando Daniel Avalos

Conspired in total to traffic approximately 258 ounces (7,224 grams) of cocaine.

  • Charging him with conspiracy to traffic in cocaine 400 grams or more, but less than 150 kilograms, in violation of F.S.S. 893.135(5).

Nicolo Busi

Trafficked approximately (9) ounces (255 grams) of cocaine

  • Trafficking cocaine over 200 grams in violation of F.S.S. 893.135.
  • Possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture or distribute in violation of F.S.S. 893.13-1a2
  • Possession of marijuana over 20 grams in violation of F.S.S. 893.13-6a
  • Possession of controlled substance Xanax in violation of F.S.S. 893.13-6a