Six Brooklyn Men Charged With Heroin Trafficking And Use Of Firearms

Earlier today, a two-count indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging Victor Agosto, also known as “Bebo,” Perfecto Deleon, also known as “Fec,” Luis Lopez, also known as “Lou,” Andres Reyes, also known as “Dre,” Nestor Rivera, also known as “Tito” and “Tito Bird,” and Peter Vasquez as members of a narcotics trafficking conspiracy. Agosto, Lopez, and Vasquez face an additional charge for use of firearms in connection with their narcotics trafficking. The defendants’ narcotics operation is based in Brooklyn and Queens.

The defendants’ initial appearances and arraignments are scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Steven L. Tiscione at the United States Courthouse, 225 Cadman Plaza East, in Brooklyn.

The arrests and charges were announced by Bridget M. Rohde, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD). The arrests follow a long-term investigation by the FBI and NYPD into the narcotics activities of the defendants.

According to the indictment and other court documents, all of the defendants were members of a large-scale heroin trafficking organization with Mexican cartel connections that trafficked in hundreds of kilograms of heroin into New York City. The defendants transported the heroin from Los Angeles and Chicago, and traveled directly to Mexico for narcotics-related meetings in furtherance of their trafficking operation. One of the defendants relied on a crew of the violent street gang the Young Gunnerz, also known as the YGs, based in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn to provide protection of the illicit business.

Between December 2011 and February 2015, law enforcement seized over $800,000 in alleged drug proceeds hidden in “traps” designed to conceal contraband in vehicles connected to Lopez and his brother-in-law, Vasquez. The proceeds of their illicit narcotics operation have funded the purchase of a fleet of luxury vehicles, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry. Lopez celebrated Christmas with an Audemars Piguet watch worth approximately $20,000, and a birthday with a 256-gram piece of gold jewelry and diamond encrusted ring. One defendant chauffeured his infant child in a Versace baby stroller that retails for over $3,000, dressed his eight-year-old in Gucci sneakers worth hundreds of dollars, and showered his wife with a Rolex watch, Chanel handbag and Versace dress. Today, law enforcement seized approximately twelve kilograms of heroin valued at $900,000 from a stash house maintained by members of the conspiracy, and five luxury vehicles: a Rolls Royce Ghost, Lamborghini Hurácan, Audi R8 Spyder, Mercedes CLS63 AMG and Range Rover Sport. The ill-gotten proceeds of the narcotics trafficking conspiracy will be subject to forfeiture, according to the indictment.

“As charged, the defendants are members of a multi-million dollar heroin trafficking organization with access to firearms and ties to other states and a Mexican cartel,” stated Acting United States Attorney Rohde. “Today’s arrests are the latest example of the success that can be achieved through federal, state and local law enforcement cooperation to combat narcotics trafficking and the all too often associated violence in our communities.” Ms. Rohde gives particular thanks to the New York Metropolitan Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of detectives from the NYPD and agents from the FBI, and additionally thanks the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Pennsylvania State Police, Indiana State Police, New Jersey State Police, the Chicago Field Divisions of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration New York City Strike Force and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for their participation and assistance in the investigation.

“Through their alleged heroin trafficking operation, the defendants not only lived a sham lavish life, but trafficked hundreds of kilograms of this deadly drug in New York City,” stated Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “It is our duty and priority to take out the leadership of these organizations. We’re not just going after the dealers of illegal prescription and street drugs, but everyone involved in the supply chain to stop the crippling impact both are having on our communities.”

“The heroin epidemic is real. These defendants not only moved large amounts of heroin across the country -- they carried firearms to protect their turf and extravagant lifestyle,” stated NYPD Commissioner O’Neill. “Today, the drugs, guns, and expensive cars are all in our possession; several are under arrest; and New Yorkers are safer with this poison off the street.”

The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, all of the defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years’ imprisonment and maximum sentences of life. In addition, for using firearms in furtherance of narcotics trafficking, defendants Agosto, Lopez and Vasquez face consecutive five-year minimum terms.

The government’s case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys David C. Pitluck, Lindsay K. Gerdes and Jennifer M. Sasso are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance provided by Assistant United States Attorney Brian D. Morris of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.

The Defendants:

VICTOR AGOSTO, also known as “Bebo”

Age: 29

Brooklyn, New York

PERFECTO DELEON, also known as “Fec”

Age: 42

Brooklyn, New York

LUIS LOPEZ, also known as “Lou”

Age: 35

Brooklyn, New York

ANDRES REYES, also known as “Dre”

Age: 34

Brooklyn, New York

NESTOR RIVERA, also known as “Tito” and “Tito Bird”

Age: 39

Brooklyn, New York

PETER VASQUEZ

Age: 30

Queens, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-390 (RJD)