Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, announced today delivery by the United States Attorney’s Office to the Miami-Dade Police Department of the sum of $392,443.50 for the department’s participation in the investigation and prosecution of convicted defendant, Augusto Guillermo "Willy" Falcon, long time associate of convicted defendant Salvador Magluta. In June 2003, Falcon pleaded guilty to conspiring to launder proceeds of narcotics trafficking in violation of Title18, United States Code, Section 1956(h). As part of the plea agreement, Falcon forfeited to the United States of America, as property involved in the criminal offense, the sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00). To date, more than seven million dollars have been forfeited in connection with the prosecutions related to the Falcon/Magluta organization.

The $392,443.50 equitable share payment brings the total equitable share payment that the Miami-Dade Police Department has received in connection with the Falcon/Magluta prosecutions to $1,666,526.76. The contribution by state and local law enforcement departments who participated in the case is recognized, in accordance with federal policies, by delivery of a share of the forfeited criminal proceeds.

Mr. Jiménez commends the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, the Miami-Dade Police Department, and all other law enforcement agencies which participated in this lengthy prosecution.