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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2006

Twenty Five Charged in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

DEC 6 -- Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division and R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, announced the unsealing of two indictments charging twenty-five (25) defendants with various narcotics crimes.

Charged in the indictments were: Mario Uceta, Victor Adames, Dioneli Sendra, Carlos Padilla, Keilyn Lantigua, Raul Reyes-Garcia, Sergio Reyes-Lopez, Alcedo Jose Espinal, FNU LNU, “Dalvy Castro,” Santo Susano Rodriguez, Miguelina Antigua, Sergio Fernandez, Vicky Fernandez, Joshua Tirado, Mario Fundora, FNU LNU, FNU LNU, a.k.a., “El Cuñado,” Mario LNU, FNU LNU, a.k.a., “Mingo,” Fidel Perez Herrera, Maidelys Perez, Luis Rodriguez Mollinedo, Liban Lopez, Donald Pujols, Maylen Baez-Reyes, Claudio Hernandez, and Billy LNU. They are charged in multiple counts with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute MDMA ("Ecstasy"), numerous counts of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and/or MDMA, and conspiracy to launder money, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956. These indictments are part of an inter-agency operation, named Gallo Verde, and is part of an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement/High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force effort that includes numerous local law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Fifteen members of the organization have been arrested so far. Those arrested range from leaders in the organization to marijuana grow house operators, transporters, and distributors. According to the indictment, this organization conspired to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana in south Florida and New York and was operating at least three active marijuana growhouses in south Florida.

U.S. Attorney Acosta commended the DEA-Miami, DEA Special Operations Division, Hialeah Police Department, Sunrise Police Department, Glades County Sheriff’s Office, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Miami-Dade Police Department, and the New York City Police Department, for their investigative work on this case.