Superseding Indictment Adds Charges and Defendants to Drug Trafficking Case

A 56-count superseding indictment was filed December 16, 2011 adding 13 members and multiple charges to a case involving a drug trafficking organization, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The original indictment charged Christian Serrano, a/k/a “Wassa,” 30, Edwin Medina, Jr., a/k/a “June,” 31, David Garcia, a/k/a “Mike,” 30, Daniel Cruz-Rivera, a/k/a “Joel,” 36, and Rigoberto Campusano, a/k/a “Driver,” 34, with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. The superseding indictment adds Claudio Santos, a/k/a “Chino,” 29, William Torres, a/k/a “Will,” 19, Rensso Vladimir Lanfranco, a/k/a “Bladi,” 34, Hector Manuel, a/k/a “Pollo,” 22, Nicholas Zayas, a/k/a “Nick,” 21, Marc Zayas, a/k/a “Marc,” 22, Joel Morales, a/k/a “Zone,” 31, and Donathan Rodriguez, a/k/a “Sepulveda Rodriguez,” 28, to the conspiracy. All of the defendants are from Philadelphia except Rodriguez who is from Puerto Rico. The indictment also charges various defendants in 40 counts of unlawful use of a communication facility (telephone) in furtherance of a drug trafficking felony, two counts of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, two counts of possession with intent to distribute heroin, two counts of distribution of heroin, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and seven counts of possession and/or use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The indictment alleges, that between June 2008 and July 21, 2011, the defendants conspired to distribute pre-packaged, branded heroin in bundle quantities for a 10-block square area of street corners in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, bounded by Clearfield Street on the north, Kensington Avenue on the east, Somerset Street on the south, and Front Street on the west, to other heroin distributors. It is further alleged that Serrano purchased heroin in ½ kilogram to 1 kilogram amounts on a bi-weekly basis from sources of supply in Philadelphia and elsewhere, and supplied the heroin Lanfranco and Cruz-Rivera for cutting, bagging and branding.

The indictment charges that Donathan Rodriguez supplied Serrano, with Xylazine, a horse tranquilizer, which Rodriguez had shipped from Puerto Rico on multiple occasions, so that Serrano could “cut,” the heroin. At certain times, it is alleged, Cruz-Rivera controlled the heroin bagging operation for the Serrano DTO, working on a daily basis in eight-hour stretches to “cut,” prepare, brand and bag heroin, which was packaged bearing the brand names “Boost,” “Game Over,” “Drano Max,” “U2,” “On Fire” and “Nite Life.” The indictment identifies Rigoberto Campusano as a member of the Serrano DTO who was directed by Serrano and Cruz-Rivera to deliver the pre-packaged, branded heroin produced by the Serrano DTO to various locations where the heroin was stored or distributed, and also to collect cash payments for the bundled and branded heroin sold by the DTO. Campusano was allegedly responsible for safeguarding and delivering cash proceeds of the heroin distribution operation obtained from the controllers and operators of various heroin distribution locations, including Edwin Medina, Jr., to Serrano and Cruz-Rivera.

It is further charged that Rensso Vladimir Lanfranco, during the period from mid-2009 to mid-2010, supplied Christian Serrano with approximately half kilogram quantities of bulk heroin; during the same time frame, Lanfranco also delivered pre-packaged, branded heroin produced by the Serrano DTO to various locations where the heroin was stored or distributed, at the direction of Serrano.

The indictment alleges that Edwin Medina, Jr., was the owner and controller of a heroin distribution corner located at Swanson and Somerset Streets, who, along with David Garcia, kept the corner supplied with pre-packaged “Nite Life” brand heroin obtained from members of the Serrano DTO, and paid “caseworkers” to carry out the sale and distribution of the heroin.

Nicholas Zayas, Marc Zayas, Claudio Santos and William Torres, at various times, allegedly served as “caseworkers” who managed the sale and distribution of “Nite Life” brand heroin for the Medina DTO’s corner located at Swanson and Somerset Streets, in Philadelphia; their duties included ensuring the corner was supplied with adequate quantities of pre-packaged heroin, collecting the sales proceeds, and the delivering those proceeds to Edwin Medina, Jr.

The indictment states that, at certain times, Claudio Santos served as an enforcer for the Medina DTO, and, under the direction and supervision of Edwin Medina, Jr., alleged leader of the Medina DTO, acquired, possessed, carried, used and discharged semi-automatic pistols to protect the DTO’s drug operations, distribution location, himself, other DTO workers, and the substantial cash proceeds generated by the drug trafficking organization’s daily operations.

Joel Morales was the alleged owner and controller of a heroin distribution corner located at D and Cambria Streets, in Philadelphia, who obtained pre-packaged heroin bearing the brand name “Game Over” from Christian Serrano. According to the indictment, after a disagreement between Morales and Serrano, Hector Manuel rented from Morales the right to sell and distribute pre-packaged heroin bearing the brand name “U2” at the corner of D and Cambria Streets for approximately $1,000 per week. Manuel also allegedly opened and controlled a second heroin distribution corner at Boudinot and Cambria Streets in Philadelphia, and was supplied by Serrano with pre-packaged heroin for sale at that corner bearing the brand name “Game Over.”

It is charged that Serrano sold and distributed and caused the sale and distribution of the Serrano DTO’s pre-packaged, branded heroin in bundle quantities in amounts ranging from 20 to 100 bundles per selling location per day, and that Serrano had the capability to produce for sale and distribution approximately 700 to 1,000 bundles of pre-packaged heroin on a daily basis.

The indictment charges several that the named defendants, at various times, acquired, possessed, carried, stored and used firearms, including semi-automatic pistols and an assault rifle, to protect their drug operations, their residences, themselves and the substantial cash proceeds generated by the drug trafficking organizations’ daily operations. It is further charged that all of the defendants frequently used cellular telephones to communicate with one another to coordinate, arrange and carry out the drug trafficking organizations’ daily operations, including the conduct of the heroin packaging operation, the delivery of bundled, branded heroin to heroin customers, the collection and safeguarding of proceeds of the organizations’ operations, and the monitoring of law enforcement activity in the areas where the organizations operated. It is also alleged that the defendants regularly replaced their personal cellular telephones in order to attempt to thwart detection of their drug trafficking activities by law enforcement.

If convicted, the defendants face the following maximum penalties:

CHRISTIAN SERRANO
Life imprisonment, an effective mandatory minimum 15 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $28,250,000 and a special assessment of $3,100.

EDWIN MEDINA
Life imprisonment, an effective mandatory minimum 50 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 10 years’ supervised release, a fine of $28,500,000 and a special assessment of $2,000.

DAVID GARCIA
Life imprisonment, an effective mandatory minimum 15 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $11,500,000 and a special assessment of $700.

DANIEL CRUZ-RIVERA
Life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum 10 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $22,000,000 and a special assessment of $1,000.

RIGOBERTO CAMPUSANO
Life imprisonment, an effective mandatory minimum 15 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $15,750,000 and a special assessment of $500.

WILLIAM TORRES
Life imprisonment, an effective mandatory minimum 15 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $11,250,000 and a special assessment of $300.

RENSSO VLADIMIR LANFRANCO
Life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum 10 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $10,000,000 and a special assessment of $100.

CLAUDIO SANTOS
Life imprisonment, an effective lifetime mandatory minimum term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 10 years’ supervised release, a fine of $23,000,000 and a special assessment of $600.

HECTOR MANUEL
Life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum 10 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $12,250,000 and a special assessment of $1,000.

NICHOLAS ZAYAS
Life imprisonment, an effective mandatory minimum 15 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $12,000,000 and a special assessment of $900.

MARC ZAYAS
Life imprisonment, an effective mandatory minimum 15 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $10,750,000 and a special assessment of $400.

JOEL MORALES
Life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum 10 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $10,000,000 and a special assessment of $100.

DONATHAN RODRIGUEZ
Life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum 10 year term of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least 5 years’ supervised release, a fine of $11,250,000 and a special assessment of $600.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph T. Labrum, III.