Flores-Silva was charged in a federal indictment on August 13, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The indictment charges Flores-Silva with conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and one kilogram or more of heroin for importation into the United States, as well as carrying, using and possessing a firearm in relation to a drug offense.
HSI special agents arrested Oscar Luis Mendoza-Flores, 26, of Cayey, in November 2015, during the execution of Operation Family Feud, an HSI operation launched to dismantle a criminal organization operating in the Luis Muñoz Marín and Brisas de Cayey public housing projects and the San Tomás and Canteras wards, all in the municipality of Cayey.
Freddy Gutierrez, 29, of Chicago, was found guilty of delivery of a controlled substance of more than 900 grams, a Class X felony. Gutierrez was sentenced to 15 years in prison and immediately remanded into custody by Kane County Circuit Court Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo Jr.
On April 8, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Air and Marine Operations and the Puerto Rico Police Department’s (PRPD) Joint Forces for Rapid Action interdicted a 32-feet, open hull vessel, navigating towards Puerto Rico. The vessel beached on a Yabucoa shore where the crew absconded into the adjoining woodlands.
Twenty-one people were arrested today on indictments and criminal complaints charging an extensive drug dealing conspiracy by those who often illegally possessed firearms. Federal, state and local law enforcement teams from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), FBI, DEA, Washington State Patrol, Seattle Police Department and other public safety organizations executed nearly 90 search warrants across the Puget Sound region. In addition to 16 of the 19 people named in the indictments, five were arrested on criminal complaints. Those arrested will make their initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Seattle and Tacoma over the next few days.
Those charged in the federal criminal complaint are: Omar Alberto Navarro, 38, of Arvin; David Delgado Gonzalez, 37, of Bakersfield; Amayrani Jared Arreguin, 24, of Bakersfield; Lizette Mendez, 31, of Delano; Mayra Guadalupe Galvan, 31, of Delano; Miguel Angel Martinez, 26, of Bakersfield; Randal Jason Newell, 41, of Bakersfield; Daniel Armendariz Mercado, 31, of Bakersfield, and James Scott Gordon, 47, of Chico.
In total, 37 individuals have been charged in the large-scale conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine that began as early as 2018 and was orchestrated from within the Tennessee state prison system. Other charges resulting from the investigation include kidnapping, money laundering, making threats by electronic communication, and firearms violations.
Following an investigation by the HSI Los Angeles BEST, Chavon Sayles, a.k.a. “Amber,” 28, of Chino, was arrested this morning at her residence. She is expected to be arraigned this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Alan Herrera-Valenzuela, 27, pleaded guilty Oct. 18, 2019. At his hearing, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez informed him that his actions troubled the court because, as a noncitizen, he was willing to cause harm by engaging in criminal activity that brought drugs into our community.
Stephen Folson, 36, and Desiree Saraficio, 29, admitted to conspiring to possess and manufacture methamphetamine after federal agents searched their home.
According to court documents, Ramiro Ramirez-Barreto, 44, from the Mexican State of Morelos, operated a continuing criminal enterprise with ties to Virginia, North Carolina, Texas and California. Ramirez-Barreto was linked to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, as were his drug sources.
A State Grand Jury indicted 17 individuals Nov. 23 for one count of conspiracy, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, and various counts of possession of a dangerous drug (methamphetamine) for sale, possession of a narcotic drug (heroin) for sale in an amount over the statutory threshold, transportation of a narcotic drug (heroin) for sale in an amount over the statutory threshold, transportation of dangerous drugs (methamphetamine) for sale over the statutory threshold, and money laundering; in an investigation assisted by ICE’s HSI.
Hugo Cristobal Garza-Ornelas, 35, from Mexico went before U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa to admit to possessing the cocaine for further distribution.
Jesus Burgos Arias, Juan Alatorre Venegas, and Jose Yee Perez were arrested on Nov. 20, 2020, as a result of a broader long-term joint investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, San Diego Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, targeting associates of the Sinaloa...
According to court documents, Alma Rosa Salinas attempted entry into the United States Aug. 7, 2019 at the Los Ebanos Port of Entry driving a Ford F-150. She was referred to secondary inspection where a K-9 had alerted other officials to the presence of concealed narcotics. Once at the secondary inspection area, authorities found liquid meth hidden in the vehicle’s gas tank.
A State Grand Jury indicted 17 individuals Nov. 23 for one count of conspiracy, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, and various counts of possession of a dangerous drug (methamphetamine) for sale, possession of a narcotic drug (heroin) for sale in an amount over the statutory threshold, transportation of a narcotic drug (heroin) for sale in an amount over the statutory threshold,...
A State Grand Jury indicted 17 individuals Nov. 23 for one count of conspiracy, one count of illegally conducting an enterprise, and various counts of possession of a dangerous drug (methamphetamine) for sale, possession of a narcotic drug (heroin) for sale in an amount over the statutory threshold, transportation of a narcotic drug (heroin) for sale in an amount over the statutory threshold,...
HSI Canberra provided Australian authorities with details on the possibility of narcotics smuggled into Australia concealed as bananas from Brazil. The container was identified and inspected by the ABF on Sept. 21 and held for further investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Marion Wise, of Cave Springs, Arkansas, was sentenced to 300 months followed by five years of supervised release. Wise is the last member of 25 individuals sentenced for their roles in a heroin and methamphetamine trafficking ring that operated in Benton and Washington Counties in Arkansas, and in California, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arizona, and Mexico. The joint HSI Fayetteville and Drug Enforcement...
