MAJOR HEROIN AND COCAINE TRAFFICKING GROUP DISMANTLED, 21 PEOPLE INDICTED, TEN KILOS OF HEROIN AND $20,000 SEIZED

Two Defendants Indicted For Operating As Major Traffickers Could Face Life in Prison Narcotics Trafficked Throughout NY Metropolitan Area

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a joint investigation with the New York City Police Department with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations has resulted in the indictment of 21 people for trafficking heroin and cocaine throughout the Bronx, reaching into upstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “Through the efforts of a year-long joint investigation, we have dismantled a major drug organization and charged the defendants with over 100 counts of various serious charges. Two of the defendants are charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker and could face life behind bars. The defendants allegedly peddled heroin and cocaine throughout the Bronx, spreading their operation to two other states. We will go wherever our investigation leads to make our borough safe and with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue and prosecute those doing harm to our communities.” 

 NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said, “These narcotics traffickers operated an organized criminal network through which major quantities of illicit and potentially deadly drugs infected the streets of the Bronx during a period in which opioid-related deaths have been reaching epidemic levels. Through major cases like this one, the NYPD, along with our law enforcement and prosecution partners, continues to focus on the source and supply of illegal drugs and together we are committed to bring these criminals to justice." 

 Homeland Security Investigations New York Special Agent in Charge Angel M. Melendez said, “These individuals are alleged to have trafficked large quantities of highly addictive drugs through our local communities and into our surrounding states. Our neighborhoods have been plagued with opioid addictions, and we will continue joint law enforcement efforts with the NYPD in order to rid our streets of the dealers and traffickers of these deadly drugs.”

 District Attorney Clark said the defendants are variously charged with first, second and third-degree Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance; first, second and third-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance; second and fourth-degree Conspiracy; and other related charges. Defendants Mario Martinez and Joan Velez are charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker. They face a maximum of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of that charge. 

 Eleven defendants were arrested in a takedown on December 20, 2017 and were arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary. They are due back in court on March 28, 2018. One defendant is awaiting extradition from Connecticut.

 According to the 12-month wiretap investigation by the Bronx DA’s Special Investigations Bureau and Criminal Enterprise Bureau along with the NYPD Bronx Gang Squad and Homeland Security Investigations, defendants Mario Martinez and Joan Velez worked together to obtain and distribute narcotics. The defendants resold the narcotics throughout the Bronx and New York State, New Jersey and Connecticut.

 Several of the defendants allegedly sold drugs along West Burnside Avenue in the 46th Precinct. During the investigation, authorities seized over 10 kilograms of heroin, packaged in bricks and thousands of glassines, as well as various quantities of cocaine and crack-cocaine, $20,000 in cash and three firearms.

 District Attorney Clark thanked the NYPD’s Bronx DA Squad, the NYPD Bronx Gang Squad, the 48th Precinct, Homeland Security Investigations Violent Gang Unit, Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Probation for their assistance in the case. 

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Defendants - Mario Martinez, 46, Bronx Joan Velez, 36, Bronx Franky Skinner AKA Row, 48, Bronx Johnnie Wright AKA Jimmy, 36, Ulster County, NY Ramon Bonilla AKA Baldy, 52, Bronx Luis Raposo AKA Luisito, 50, Bronx David Hemphill AKA Dolla, 40, Bronx Alexis Sanchez AKA Butter, 39, Bronx Michael Collins AKA Mike, 29, Bronx Christian Sanchez AKA Bori, 32, Manhattan Emmanuel Gomez AKA Pistola, 35, Bronx Yessenia Castro AKA La Yii, 33, Bronx Francisco Brito, 38, Bronx Randy Minaya, 30, Bronx Miguel Robles, 36, Bronx Michael Gallardo AKA Mike, 39, Bronx Victor Lora, 24, Westchester County, NY Leo Bonilla, 34, Bronx Robert Porras AKA Robo, 39, Manhattan Stephen Carrasco AKA Smurf, 42, Bronx Desjohn Curry, 28, Bronx.