 |
Office of the
Bridget G. Brennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor |
80 CENTRE STREET, SIXTH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10013 212-815-0400, GEN. 212-815-0440, FAX |
ALSO CONTACT:
Drug Enforcement Administration
Erin.L.McKenzie-Mulvey
Public Information Officer
(212) 337-2906
12 MEMBERS OF COCAINE DISTRIUBTION RING ARRESTED IN NEW YORK AND PUERTO RICO
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan and New York DEA Special Agent-In-Charge John P. Gilbride, announced the arrest of 12 people in connection with a conspiracy to import cocaine from Puerto Rico into New York City.
The year long investigation focused on a cocaine distribution organization which smuggled kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to the New York area to be distributed in Manhattan, Harlem and Queens. The cocaine shipments were concealed in packages sent from Puerto Rico to addresses in Manhattan, the Bronx and Harlem.
The investigation, named “Operation Special Delivery” resulted in the seizure of a kilogram of cocaine and $450,000.
Early this morning, agents and detectives arrested 12 individuals all involved in the conspiracy to ship cocaine from Puerto Rico for distribution throughout New York City, including Harlem and Queens.
Also arrested was Edgar “El Chamaco” Santana, a professional junior welterweight boxer. Santana resides at the George Washington Carver Houses, a New York City Housing Authority complex in the East Harlem section of Manhattan. His next boxing match is scheduled for August 6th in New York City. Santana is charged with the sale of a kilogram of cocaine and conspiracy.
Angel Colon, the main target of the investigation, was apprehended by the New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force (Strike Force) which is composed of agents and officers from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York City Police Department, the United States Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the Department of Homeland Security Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The defendants are all charged with top felony narcotics offenses. They are scheduled to appear in court later today.
Those arrested are:
Angel Colon, 49
121 E. 101st. St
New York, NY
Thomas Caraballo, 39
Myrtle Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Edgar Santana, 29
230 E. 102nd St.,
New York, NY
Jose Jorge, 35
Calixto Melendez, 32
Dorado, PR
Misael Sanchez, 31
604 Beech Terrace
Bronx, NY
Jorge Abad, 31
93 Beaumont Circle
Yonkers, NY
Francisco Maldonado,36
839 Riverside Drive
New York, NY
Juan Flores, 21
2301 Morris Avenue
Bronx, NY
Rogelio Santiago
Dorado, Puerto Rico
Jose Pilar Nieves, 37
115 East 115
New York, NY
JD Junior