Four Individuals Indicted for Drug Trafficking

SAN JUAN, PR—Yesterday evening, February 21, 2013, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Luis Francisco Alicea-Colón, Pedro Carlos Calderón-Andino, Astrid Martínez-Valentin, and Karen Coralis Torres-Ilarraza with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, ATF, and the Carolina Drug Unit of the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD).

On February 20, 2013, members of the PRPD Carolina Drug Unit executed a state search warrant in a residence located in sector Roberto Resto in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. The defendants were present at the location when agents were conducting the search. The following items were found during the search: an AK-47, ammunition, a bullet-proof vest, a money counting machine, and three bags with marijuana.

The PRPD officers contacted the federal agents pursuant to the provisions of the interagency Illegal Firearms and Violent Crimes Initiative. All four subjects were taken into custody by the FBI and later charged. If convicted, the individuals face up to a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment for the drug charges, and from five years to life in prison for the firearms violation.

“These arrests should send a message to those involved in drug trafficking. We will continue working with our state and local partners to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for selling narcotics in Puerto Rico, and who contribute to the violence and criminal activity in the island,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.

“The FBI’s message is clear and unequivocal, we will work together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to assign all necessary resources to identify, locate, and arrest violent crime offenders. They will face our justice system. They will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Carlos Cases, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Puerto Rico.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alberto López-Rocafort and Special Assistant United States Attorney Normary Figueroa-Rijo. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.