Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, the Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), James P. O’Neill, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), and George P. Beach II, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), today announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 14 members of a drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) that sold large amounts of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine in and around the Bronx, New York.
A total of 11 defendants were taken into custody today; three remain at large. During the arrests and execution of various search warrants earlier today, law enforcement officers recovered a significant amount of currency, as well as firearms and narcotics. The 11 defendants who were arrested will be presented and arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Pitman later today. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood. An initial conference is scheduled for September 12, 2017.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “Today, we charge 14 members of a drug trafficking organization allegedly responsible for trafficking large amounts of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine in the Bronx. As alleged, this case demonstrates the close connection between drug dealing and gun crimes. We remain committed, along with our partners at the DEA, NYPD, and the New York State Police, to ridding New York’s neighborhoods of drug trafficking.”
Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt said: “The alleged crimes committed by this organization show the inescapable connection between drug trafficking and violence. This organization allegedly ran rampant throughout New York City, distributing kilogram quantities of cocaine and heroin. Allegedly supplying drugs to other trafficking organizations throughout the Northeast, they made a profit by feeding on others’ drug addiction.”
State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said: “I am proud of the dedicated efforts of our members and law enforcement partners which resulted in the indictments of these individuals, seizures of drugs and firearms, and the end of this organization’s alleged operations. New York State will not tolerate the sale of these drugs, or the violent crimes that are associated with narcotics distribution. This sends a strong message of our dedication to clearing our communities of these dangerous substances.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment[1] and other documents in the public record, and statements made in court:
Between August 2016 and August 2017, GABRIEL GUILLEN, a/k/a “Toti,” EDWARD JIMENEZ, a/k/a “Buzzy,” ZORAIDA RAMIREZ, WILSON GUILLEN, JOEL TAPIA, a/k/a “Emelio Vasquez,” MATTHEW VASQUEZ, a/k/a “Cabeza,” YEISON SALDANA, a/k/a “Jay,” JASON LLANES, a/k/a “Jay Murder,” GABRIEL CARRION, a/k/a “Gaby,” MOISES SUERO, RICHARD JOSE, a/k/a “Kiki,” JHOAN PICHARDO, a/k/a “Flaco,” RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ, a/k/a “Rafi, and CARLOS PEREZ, a/k/a “Los,” conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of heroin, five kilograms and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and 280 grams and more of mixtures and substances containing a detectable amount of crack cocaine in the Bronx and elsewhere. The defendants also used and possessed, or aided and abetted each other in using and possessing, firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking crimes.
GABRIEL GUILLEN, 33, JIMENEZ, 27, RAMIREZ, 49, WILSON GUILLEN, 35, TAPIA, 40, VASQUEZ, 25, SALDANA, 27, LLANES, 30, CARRION, 24, SUERO, 33, JOSE, 38, PICHARDO, 27, RODRIGUEZ, 47, and PEREZ, 25, are each charged in one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute one kilogram and more of heroin, five kilograms and more of cocaine, and 280 grams and more of crack cocaine, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count relating to the use and possession of firearms during and in relation to their drug trafficking crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by a judge
Mr. Kim praised the investigative work of the DEA, the NYPD, and the State Police, and thanked the United States Marshals Service, U.S. Probation, and the NYPD Narcotics Bureau Bronx for their assistance.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
