Nineteen Miami Residents Indicted on Federal Heroin Trafficking Charges

R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jonathan I. Solomon, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division, John F. Timoney, Chief, City of Miami Police Department, and Al Rolle, Chief, City of Homestead Police Department, announced today’s unsealing of a drug trafficking Indictment against 19 Miami-area defendants.

The 23-count Indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, and with multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin.  If convicted of these charges, the defendants face maximum terms of imprisonment ranging from 20 years to life in prison.  Charged in the Indictment are:

• Willie Berrios, age 33;
• Juan Manuel Dieppas II, a/k/a “Melvin Cruz,” “Melvin Serrano,” and “Cholo,” age 39;
• Lazaro Mateo, a/k/a “Caravela” and “Ricky,” age 40;
• Julio Borges, a/k/a “Junito,” age 48;
• Angel Rodriguez, age 57;
• Eduardo Santiago, a/k/a “Tio,” age 55;
• Rafael Rodriguez, a/k/a “Rafy,” age 49;
• Howard Burgos, a/k/a “the Locksmith” and “Howie,” age 34;
• Randy Maldonado, age 22;
• Luis Maldonado, a/k/a “Papito,” age 53;
• Juan Martir, age 41;
• Miguel Borges, a/k/a “Papote,” age 54;
• Juan Rosa, a/k/a “Ray,” age 40;
• Billy Solomon, age 59;
• Raymond Figueroa, a/k/a “Junior,” age 34;
• Roberto Figueroa, a/k/a “Hollywood,” age 32;
• Wilfred Maisonet, age 47;
• Elvin Cognet, age 47; and
• Cristian Figueroa, age 21.

All of the defendants, except for defendants Willie Berrios, Julio Borges, Roberto Figueroa and Elvin Cognet, reside in Miami-Dade County.  Defendants Willie Berrios, Julio Borges, Roberto Figueroa and Elvin Cognet reside in Broward County.

The Indictment is the result of an investigation jointly conducted by the FBI, DEA, and City of Miami and City of Homestead Police Departments.  Acosta commended these agencies for their hard work on this case.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott M. Edenfield.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.