the COLLIER STAR: Suspect Sought In Drug Trafficking Investigation

WANTED; Rafael Lesende

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding a man wanted in connection with a long-term narcotics investigation that has netted 14 people so far and spanned decades in South Florida.

Rafael Lesende, 43, is wanted on an active Collier County Sheriff’s Office warrant for conspiracy to traffic cocaine 400 grams or more. His bond has been set at $500,000.

Lesende is described as Hispanic, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. His last known address is 311 3rd St. S.W. in Golden Gate.

Detectives say he is known to frequent the Naples Manor area in East Naples, where he has family living on Gilchrist Street and Floridian Avenue. He is also known to frequent Everglades City and Isles of Capri, where his vessel, “Sea Note,” is docked at Capri Fisheries, 218 Kon Tiki Drive.

Lesende is known to drive a black GMC Denali with Florida license plate number S531TM.

Anyone with information on Lesende’s whereabouts is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239.252.9300, or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, contact Crime Stoppers at 1.800.780.8477.

On Nov. 13, CCSO, in cooperation with Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Drug Enforcement Administration, rounded up 13 suspects whom detectives say conspired to traffic more than $1 million worth of cocaine. A 14^th suspect turned himself in later.

Original news release:
Long-Term Narcotics Investigation Nets 13 Arrests
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Posted Date: 11/13/2014 2:15 PM

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 funneled 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 Nov. 14, 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.