Two Law Enforcement Officers Convicted for Participation in Drug Transaction Defendants Will Be Sentenced on March 18, 2011

SAN JUAN—Yesterday evening, Raquel Delgado-Marrero and Ángel Rivera-Claudio were convicted of three counts each, before Chief Judge José A. Fusté, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, attempt to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The defendants were immediately incarcerated, and are facing a minimum of 15 years in prison.

The defendants were charged in a four-count indictment on Sept. 9, 2010. This indictment is part of Operation Guard Shack, in which 133 defendants were indicted as the result of 125 undercover drug transactions conducted by the FBI in several locations in Puerto Rico from July 2008 until September 2010. The defendants’ participation in one drug transaction on July 24, 2009, consisted of providing armed protection to a drug dealer during the sale of seven kilograms of cocaine. In exchange for their security services during the drug transactions, the defendants received $2,000 each.

“These convictions demonstrate the commitment of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Puerto Rico to eradicate corruption in our law enforcement ranks. We cannot help but be appalled at the criminal conduct that was presented during trial against these two individuals who had sworn to serve and protect the citizens of Puerto Rico, but instead were protecting drug transactions,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney L. Coker and Jacqueline D. Novas.