2002-12-16 -- Operation Southern Approach -- Indictments -- News Release

More Than Two Dozen Arrested for Alleged Roles in Colombia-based Drug Money Laundering Schemes

NEWARK - The leader of a Colombian organization that exported cocaine to the United States is being sought today in South America, following the unsealing of seven money laundering indictments and numerous arrests last week, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Salomon Camacho Mora, 58, of Colombia, South America was being sought today by the Colombian government, which is cooperating in the arrests of Mora and others in connection with the international money laundering investigation. Millions of dollars are alleged to have been moved through a location in Union City, N.J.

Between Wednesday and Friday, 15 suspects were arrested in Miami, New York City, Texas and in Colombia. Some of the defendants are expected to appear for detention hearings in Newark at 2 p.m. on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo.

The Indictments - the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS and U.S. Attorney's Office - charge 26 individuals with conspiracy to launder drug proceeds and/or money laundering. Each money laundering count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Of the 26 defendants charged, 11 individuals were arrested in the United States and four were arrested in Colombia.

(See addendum for the names and arrest status of each individual.)

The Indictments describe a hierarchy of individuals involved in conspiracies to direct the movement of drug money in the United States to conceal the nature, source, and ownership of the money. Two of the defendants, Carlos Augusto Diaz Rodriguez, a.k.a. "Cuto," and Marcos Ivan Espinoza De Leon, a.k.a. "Marquitos," allegedly organized from Colombia the movement of cash in the United States. Rodriguez was arrested on Wednesday by Colombian police.

Another defendant, Manual Ramon Del Risco Torrente, also of Colombia, allegedly arranged for the transfer of cash through the Union City location. Other defendants gathered cash from the sale of drugs, directed the movement of cash, acted as money couriers or controlled bank accounts through which the drug money was moved.

"These indictments reflect a strategic approach to eradicating drug trafficking by disrupting the flow of drug money and dismantling money laundering organizations here and abroad," Christie said.

After the money arrived in New Jersey, it is alleged that some of the cash was retrieved by couriers and moved to other locations, including Florida. Other monies were deposited into bank accounts and then wire transferred to bank accounts controlled by members of the money laundering conspiracies. In an Indictment charging Mora and eight others, it is alleged that approximately $1.6 million was actually laundered in these ways.

Torrente is also charged in three other indictments with playing a similar role in furtherance of other money laundering schemes. One of those Indictments alleges that the leader of another Colombia-based cocaine trafficking organization, Roberto Chicre Malkun, used Torrente's services to transfer approximately $191,000 through New Jersey.

Others are charged similarly in other Indictments in connection with international money laundering schemes.

"These indictments are the culmination of a five-year Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) undercover operation," said Louie F. Allen, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI in Newark. "We believe the indictments and subsequent arrests will result in the dismantlement of a major international drug trafficking/money laundering organization throughout the United States and various countries."

"It is the tracing of illicit proceeds that contributes to the identification of criminal organizations that undermine our economy and pose a threat to our national interests," said Anne D. Fahy, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service in Newark.

The United States plans to seek extradition of the South American based defendants pursuant to the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which was ratified in the United States in 1990 and Colombia in 1994.

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI in Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Louie F. Allen and Special Agents for the IRS under the direction of Anne D. Fahy for their joint effort in building the case. He also thanked Special Agents of the DEA under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Cammarato as well as the Office of International Affairs, agents in the Special Support Unit of the Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad (DAS) in Colombia under the direction of Jorge Aurelio Noguera-Cotes, and Special Agents of the FBI and DEA in Colombia for their work. (See also attached news release from the Colombian government).

The Assistant U.S. Attorneys assigned to the cases are: Sarah Coyne, Chris Gramiccioni, Margaret Mahoney, Marion Percell and Maureen Ruane.

Defendants

Domestic Arrests:

--Luz Marina Vargas DeLarosa, 43, of Miami, arrested in Miami

AUSA Margaret Mahoney

--Carlos E. Corredor Garzon (Vargas' husband), 43, of Miami, arrested in Miami

AUSA Margaret Mahoney

--Milton Miranda, 54, of Hialeah, Fla., arrested in Miami

AUSA Maureen Ruane

--Janet Miranda, 42, of Hialeah, Fla., arrested in Miami

AUSA Maureen Ruane

-Hernando Martinez, 61, of Kew Gardens, NY, arrested in New York City

AUSA Sarah Coyne

-Ramon Parada Martinez, 36, of Elmhurst, NY, arrested in New York City

AUSA Sarah Coyne

-Santiago Alvarez, 29, of New York, NY, arrested in New York City

AUSA Sarah Coyne

-Oswaldo Martinez, 63, of Hialeah, Fla., arrested in Fla.

AUSA Sarah Coyne

--Henry Vallencia Gallego, 39, of New York City, NY, arrested in New York City