Submariner Smugglers Extradited from Colombia to Face International Cocaine Distribution Charges

 

Defendants Allegedly Used Semi-Submersible Vessels to Traffic Tons of Cocaine from Colombia, Through the Pacific Ocean to Mexico, and Ultimately to the United States

This afternoon, in federal court in Brooklyn, Elkin Armando Alomia Quiñones, Luis Alberto Arboleda Escobar, Diego Luis Obregon Aguirre, Edwin Obregon Castro, Juan Matias Obregon Castro, Rodrigo Obregon Saavedra and Narjel Paredes, all citizens of Colombia, will be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho on an indictment charging them with violations of the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act and international cocaine distribution conspiracy.  The seven defendants were extradited yesterday to the Eastern District of New York from Colombia where they were previously arrested in March 2025.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Frank A. Tarentino III, Associate Chief of Operations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Northeast Region, and Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York) announced the extraditions.

“As alleged, the defendants are members of a Colombian transnational maritime drug trafficking organization who sought to clandestinely traffic tons of cocaine on semi-submersible vessels to Mexico, ultimately for distribution in the United States,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “With these arrests and extraditions, the defendants’ smuggling scheme has been sunk and holding them accountable in a U.S. courtroom demonstrates the Administration’s resolve through Operation Take Back America and the Homeland Security Task Force to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from these evildoers.”

Mr. Nocella praised the outstanding investigative work of DEA New York’s Task Force, DEA Bogota and HSI New York’s Homeland Security Task Force Cartel Investigations Group.  Mr. Nocella also expressed his appreciation to Colombia’s Cuerpo Técnico de Investigación, the Colombian Navy, DEA Puerto Rico, DEA Madrid, HSI Bogota and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico for their substantial assistance.  The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogotá provided significant assistance in this matter.

“The extradition of these seven individuals underscores DEA’s global pursuit to identify and target those responsible for trafficking illicit narcotics destined for the United States,” stated DEA Northeast Regional Associate Chief of Operations Tarentino.  “Using submersible vessels in a calculated attempt to evade law enforcement doesn’t make you invisible! Whether you attempt to hide beneath the surface or above, the DEA, alongside our domestic and international partners, will relentlessly pursue and defeat those drug trafficking organizations threatening our communities and killing Americans.”

“Today, seven alleged drug smugglers are facing charges in the United Stated after years of unchecked cocaine trafficking.​ Homeland Security Investigations’ international footprint gives us the ability to track bad actors back to the source and, through our partnerships, bring them to justice,” stated HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Alfonso.  “These drugs have done untold damage to millions of families across the country. HSI works alongside our law enforcement partners every day to dismantle drug trafficking organizations and stop the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities.”

According to the indictment and court filings, the defendants were members of an international drug trafficking organization (DTO) which conspired to traffic more than five tons of cocaine in self-propelled semi-submersible vessels, like submarines, launched from the Pacific coast of Colombia towards areas controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico. The drug trafficking organization conducted a sophisticated maritime drug distribution operation, managing each step of the process.  First, members of the conspiracy found investors to finance multi-ton cocaine loads and to finance the construction of semi-submersible vessels.  Next, members of the conspiracy built semi-submersible vessels capable of carrying thousands of kilograms of cocaine.  The trafficking organization also hired crew members to fill the semi-submersible vessels with cocaine and then transport the cocaine to Mexico.  Members of the conspiracy also conducted countersurveillance on the high seas by strategically positioning fishing vessels on the same routes as the semi-submersible vessels.  These countersurveillance ships attempted to spot military and law enforcement ships that might intercept the semi-submersible vessels.

On June 27 2023, the Colombian Navy seized approximately 2,312 kilograms of cocaine from a DTO semi-submersible vessel near the Colombian Pacific coast, which, based on a coordinate chart located aboard the vessel, was en route to Mexico (pictured below).

On October 7, 2023, the Colombian Navy seized approximately 3,300 kilograms of cocaine from another DTO semi-submersible vessel near the Colombian Pacific coast, which was en route to Mexico (pictured below).

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.  Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes these organizations commit, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New York comprises agents and officers from the FBI; DEA New York; the New York City Police Department; IRS Criminal Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Secret Service; with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York leading this prosecution.

Telemedicine Company Owner Pleads Guilty to $46M Medicare Fraud Scheme

 

The owner of a telemedicine company pleaded guilty today to organizing and leading a $46.2 million Medicare fraud conspiracy that spanned more than six years.

According to court documents, Christopher Harwood, 43, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, admitted that he owned and operated a telemedicine company called TelevisitMD. Harwood and his co-conspirators targeted Medicare patients through aggressive telemarketing campaigns, inducing them to accept orthotic braces and genetic tests that they did not need. Harwood paid doctors to approve orders for these braces and genetic tests. These doctors did not follow Medicare’s rules for telemedicine visits, did not have real medical relationships with the Medicare patients, and often signed orders for orthotic braces and genetic tests without any meaningful interaction with the Medicare patients. Harwood then sold the signed doctors’ orders to durable medical equipment (DME) supply companies, laboratories, and marketers who were part of the scheme.

Harwood also owned and operated multiple DME supply companies based in Florida that he used to bill Medicare millions of dollars for orthotic braces that Medicare patients did not want or need. In total, at least $46.2 million in false and fraudulent claims were submitted to Medicare as part of Harwood’s scheme. Medicare paid $17.9 million based on these claims, and Harwood personally received more than $10.4 million from the fraud scheme.

Harwood pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and agreed to pay $17.9 million in restitution. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. Harwood faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); and Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office made the announcement.

HHS-OIG and FBI investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Owen Dunn of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

Attorney General James Bars Correctional Health Care Provider from New York Following Deaths in Custody

 

NaphCare Illegally Practiced Medicine in New York and Failed to Provide Adequate Care at Onondaga County Jail     

Company Barred from Providing Jail Health Services in New York for Five Years and Must Pay $875,000  

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a settlement with correctional health care provider NaphCare, LLC (NaphCare) and its affiliate Proactive Health Care Medicine, PLLC (Proactive), following an investigation into three deaths at the Onondaga County Justice Center (OCJC) in Syracuse. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that NaphCare illegally practiced medicine in New York and broadly controlled medical decisions at OCJC despite not being licensed to provide medical services in the state. As a result of the investigation, NaphCare must pay $875,000 to the state and is barred from contracting to provide health services in any New York state or local correctional facility for five years.  

“Every New Yorker deserves safe and competent medical care,” said Attorney General James. “Our investigation found that NaphCare illegally practiced medicine in New York and failed to adequately protect individuals in custody who relied on their care. These failures put vulnerable individuals at serious risk and had devastating consequences. Today, we are holding NaphCare accountable and ensuring it cannot return to New York without strict oversight.”  

NaphCare is a private, for-profit correctional health care company based in Alabama that provided medical services at OCJC, the Onondaga County Correctional Facility, and the Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center between 2020 and 2022. The OAG launched an investigation following reports of multiple deaths in custody potentially attributable to inadequate medical care. Through the investigation, OAG determined that NaphCare had created Proactive, a New York corporation, to serve as the nominal medical provider for incarcerated individuals in Onondaga County facilities while continuing to illegally handle decision-making and oversight from Alabama.   

When entering into contracts with correctional facilities, NaphCare and Proactive claimed that Proactive would provide all clinical care, while NaphCare would provide only administrative and management services. However, the OAG found that NaphCare employees in Alabama regularly issued treatment orders, prescribed medications, and directed care for incarcerated patients in New York. NaphCare also exercised significant control over Proactive’s operations and supervised its medical staff, effectively running the entire medical practice at the facilities despite not being licensed to practice medicine in New York.  

The OAG investigation also uncovered serious failures in care during NaphCare’s tenure at OCJC. Within a roughly 20-month period, three people in custody died after receiving inadequate medical attention. One incarcerated pregnant woman, who was given no prenatal care, repeatedly reported that her water had broken and that she was in labor, but was not evaluated by a medical provider for more than 30 hours and was not transported to a hospital until after she gave birth alone in her cell. Her premature newborn died hours later. Another person died by suicide after not receiving necessary mental health care. A third person, a man in his sixties with a known history of hypertension and other medical conditions, died from cardiovascular disease after receiving only intermittent treatment for dangerously high blood pressure and after multiple medication errors, including mix-ups in ordering and administering his prescriptions.   

The OAG learned that many treatment decisions during these incidents were made remotely through NaphCare’s electronic communication system, which allowed providers in Alabama to review electronic records and issue orders without seeing or speaking to patients. Ultimately, OAG determined that NaphCare engaged in repeated and persistent illegal practices, including widespread violations of New York’s corporate practice of medicine laws, which prohibit non-medical corporations from owning medical practices and from directly employing physicians to provide medical care in the state. The OAG also found that NaphCare violated numerous state regulations governing medical care in correctional facilities and repeatedly failed to follow its own policies and procedures, as well as national standards for correctional health care.  

As a result of OAG’s investigation, NaphCare must pay $875,000 in penalties and is prohibited from bidding on or entering into any contracts with New York state or any New York municipality to provide correctional health services for five years. For an additional five years after that, NaphCare must provide advance notice to OAG and receive written approval before entering into any such contract. If the company is ever permitted to provide correctional health services in New York again, any providers delivering medical, dental, or mental health care to patients in the state, including through telehealth, must be employed by or contracted through a properly licensed New York professional medical entity. If NaphCare fails to uphold any terms of the agreement, it will face a $50,000 penalty for each violation and may face additional enforcement action.  

FORMER NYCHA EMPLOYEE INDICTED FOR CORRUPTION IN SCHEME TO STEAL FROM CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE TENANTS

 

Defendant Allegedly Took More Than $20,000 from Victims

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a former employee of New York City Housing Authority’s Throggs Neck Houses was indicted on Grand Larceny, Bribe Receiving and other public corruption-related charges for allegedly defrauding people of more than $20,000 by falsely claiming he would secure them better apartments. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant allegedly used his position as a NYCHA employee to convince NYCHA tenants and other people to give him money in exchange for securing a Section 8 Voucher. As a result of this defendant’s greed, seven hard working New Yorkers were allegedly scammed out of more than $20,000.” 

Acting DOI Commissioner Chris Ryan said, "NYCHA Housing Assistants have a responsibility to work closely and honestly with potential tenants to assist in finding a suitable unit to rent. Instead, as charged, this defendant used his access and position to accept thousands of dollars in bribes — taking advantage of vulnerable housing applicants and NYCHA residents to enrich himself. DOI wants all New Yorkers to be aware that NYCHA does not charge or request a fee in connection with applying or processing an application for public housing or Section 8 rental units. If you receive a request for payment from anyone posing as NYCHA personnel, report it to DOI’s NYCHA Inspector General at 212-306-3355. I thank the complainant who reported to DOI the allegations that led to this indictment, NYCHA for its collaboration on the investigation, and the Bronx District Attorney's Office for its partnership and commitment to protect precious public housing benefits and the integrity of the public housing system."

District Attorney Clark said The defendant, Jose Lopez Molina, 47, of Newington, CT, was arraigned on March 25, 2026, before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goldsmith on multiple counts of third-degree Grand Larceny as a Public Corruption Crime, fourth-degree Grand Larceny as a Public Corruption Crime, third-degree Grand Larceny, fourth-degree Grand Larceny, thirddegree Bribe Receiving, first-degree Scheme to Defraud, first-degree Forgery, second-degree Forgery, third-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, second-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument and Official Misconduct.

According to the investigation, Molina was employed as a housing assistant in the NYCHA Throggs Neck Houses on Schley Avenue. Between August 2023 and April 2025, the defendant allegedly approached multiple people, both tenants and non-tenants, about assisting them in getting either a Section 8 voucher or NYCHA housing ahead of other applicants in exchange for money. Fifteen victims were identified, and Molina is charged with victimizing seven of them.

The defendant allegedly forged Section 8 vouchers and presented them to the victims as legitimate vouchers. The defendant also allegedly provided addresses and apartment numbers to some of the victims and indicated that they were approved to move in, causing them not to renew their current lease. The defendant also allegedly led some NYCHA tenants to believe that they could settle their back rent by paying him a fee.

District Attorney Clark thanked Department of Investigation’s Investigator Enio Bencosme, Housing and Urban Development Agent JP Gueli and Homeland Security New York Office for their assistance in the investigation. District Attorney Clark thanked the Newington Police Department for their assistance in apprehending the defendant. 

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

BRONX MAN SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR POSSESSING A SUBMACHINE

 

Defendant Was on Parole When Arrested with High-Powered Weapon; Sentenced as Persistent Violent Felony Offender

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a Bronx man has been sentenced to 17 years to life in prison for second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon for having a submachine gun, scope, extended magazines and 50 rounds of ammunition. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant was convicted of possessing a firearm suitable for combat. A serious threat to the public is now behind bars.” 

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jamain Rattary, 40, of 2700 Grand Concourse, the Bronx, was sentenced to 17 years to life in prison by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Rosenbleuth on March 24, 2026. The defendant was found guilty by a jury of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon on January 7, 2026. 

According to the facts introduced at trial, on July 31, 2022, Rattary was arrested inside his apartment at 2700 Grand Concourse by NYPD patrol officers from the 52nd Precinct responding to a 911 call. They found a Kriss Vector Semi-Automatic Rifle equipped with a scope, two magazines and fifty rounds of .45-caliber ammunition in a hallway closet. The defendant represented himself for the majority of the trial. He was subject to a life sentence based on his persistent violent felony offender status.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Police Officers Evan Jeselson and Crystal Dones of the 46th Precinct, formerly assigned to the 52nd Precinct, Police Officer Jerry Klepadlo, formerly assigned to the Evidence Collection Team and NYPD Detectives Judah Stavrakoglou of the NYPD Lab Firearms Analysis Section and Anthony Taccetta of the 52nd Precinct for their work on the case. 

Governor Hochul Marks Five Years of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act as New York Advances an Equity-Driven Cannabis Market with $3.3 Billion in Sales and More Than 600 Dispensaries

New York’s Cannabis Industry Fuels Growth for Small Businesses While Expanding Opportunities for Social and Economic Equity Entrepreneurs

57 Percent of Licenses Issued to Women-Owned Businesses and 51 Percent to Minority-Owned Businesses, Advancing Equity Across the Cannabis Industry

Pure Blossoms on Manhattan’s Upper West Side Recognized as New York’s 600th Licensed Cannabis Dispensary

Governor Kathy Hochul today marked the upcoming five year anniversary of the passage of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act, which legalized adult-use cannabis, established the Office of Cannabis Management, and laid the foundation for a regulated, equity-driven cannabis industry in New York. Since the launch of adult-use sales, New York’s cannabis market has generated $3.3 billion in total retail sales and expanded to more than 600 licensed dispensaries statewide, with Pure Blossom on Manhattan’s Upper West Side recognized as the State’s 600th licensed retail location.

“Five years ago, New York committed to building a cannabis market rooted in equity, safety, and opportunity and today, that commitment is delivering real results,” Governor Hochul said. “We are creating new pathways for small businesses while aggressively shutting down illicit shops that threaten public safety and undermine our legal market. Our focus is clear: protect consumers, support legal businesses, and ensure this industry grows the right way.”

Strong Market Growth and Consumer Participation

New York’s adult-use cannabis market continues to expand, with strong participation from both businesses and consumers:

• $3.3 billion in total retail sales generated since market launch
• 2,161 adult-use cannabis licenses issued statewide
• 610 licensed retail dispensaries now operating across New York

Advancing Social and Economic Equity

New York continues to lead the nation in building an equitable cannabis industry:

• 56 percent of adult-use cannabis licenses across the supply chain have been awarded to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) applicants, exceeding the State’s statutory goal
• 57 percent of SEE licenses have been issued to women-owned businesses, and 51 percent to minority-owned businesses
• 342 Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licensees have been approved statewide
• 86 percent of CAURD dispensaries are currently open and operating across New York

As part of her 2026 State of the State, Governor Hochul announced a $17 million investment to expand Social and Economic Equity initiatives and programming, further strengthening support for entrepreneurs from Communities Disproportionately Impacted by past cannabis enforcement.

Delivering on Justice and Reform

The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act continues to advance meaningful criminal justice reform:

• More than 400,000 marijuana-related convictions are eligible for expungement
• More than 200,000 convictions have been sealed, with an additional 107,000 suppressed pending sealing
• No individual in New York State remains incarcerated solely for a marijuana-related offense
• $10 million in total reinvestment through the Community Grant Reinvestment Fund — $5 million already awarded and an additional $5 million now available, supporting youth development, workforce training, housing stability, and public health initiatives in communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition

Strengthening Enforcement and Public Safety

New York has taken significant steps to protect consumers and address illicit activity:

• 2,017 enforcement actions completed statewide in 2025, resulting in more than $20 million in illicit cannabis seized
• 579 illicit cannabis storefronts shut down statewide
• 1,481 enforcement inspections conducted statewide to date
• 1,094 Notices of Violation issued to date
• 581 padlocked locations statewide to date 

RSVP: This Sunday with Bernie!

 

Join Bernie Sanders, NYC Democratic Socialists of America, and many more for a rally to send a message: to stand up to Trump, we must fight for an economy that works for all people!

Rally in The Bronx to Tax the Rich!

Sunday, March 29th from 2 - 4PM

at Lehman College

250 Bedford Park Blvd W

The Bronx, NY 10468

Rally with Bernie on Sunday →

We hope to see you there!

In solidarity,

Team AOC 

 

Friends & Neighbors, 

 

HAPPENING TOMORROW! Get out those Easter baskets, fancy hats, and pastel colors. It’s time for our annual Pelham Parkway Easter Egg Hunt!

 

This year, we’re thrilled to bring you an afternoon filled with music, games, face painter, popcorn, and of course, lots of Easter eggs. Here are the details: 

 

WHEN: Saturday, March 28, 2026 TOMORROW

WHERE: Pelham Parkway Greenway (across from Peace Plaza)

TIME: 11:00AM - 2:00PM

 

Events like these are what makes our community so special. Come out, enjoy the afternoon, and spend time with old and new friends. 

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone then! 

 

In Gratitude, 

John Zaccaro, Jr.