Twenty-Nine Individuals Indicted and Arrested for Drug Trafficking Forfeiture Allegations Total $11 Million

SAN JUAN, PR—Twenty nine (29) individuals indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on November 18, 2009, were arrested today by Strike Force teams, as a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD,)  announced today United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The defendants are charged in a nine-count indictment with conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute heroin, crack, cocaine and marijuana, and forfeiture allegations for eleven million dollars ($11,000,000). The first 14 defendants on the indictment also face charges of conspiracy to possess firearms during and in relation to narcotics trafficking offense.

The drug trafficking organization, led by Jaime Dávila Reyes, aka “Peluche,” “Pai,” “Jaime,” “Chezina,” was operating in Naguabo and Caguas since 2006.  Dávila Reyes was the owner, main leader and supplier of the organization.  From the José Gautier Benítez Public Housing Project in Caguas, he was directly and indirectly responsible for providing sufficient narcotics to the drug point owners for further distribution at Ignacio Morales Dávila Public Housing Project in Naguabo. 

The twenty nine (29) co-conspirators operated in many roles, in order to further the goals of the conspiracy, which included at least one (1) main leader and drug supplier; six (6) supervisors and/or drug point owners; twelve (12) enforcers; runners, sellers, and facilitators. Most of these co-conspirators would hold more than one role within the conspiracy.

“Today’s operation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCEDTF) as part of our continuing efforts to continue to fight drug trafficking in Puerto Rico,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We will not rest until every town is safe again, and all our citizens can live in peace.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and PRPD, and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney César Rivera Giraud.

If convicted, the defendants face a minimum of ten (10) years imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment, with fines of up to $4 million. Criminal indictments are only charges and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.