United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

24 CHARGED IN BRIDGEPORT DRUG TRAFFICKING RING
Investigation targets cocaine,"crack" and marijuana distributors, source of supply, and customer base

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on February 18, 2004, a federal grand jury returned three separate indictments charging 24 individuals with various narcotics offenses involving the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, "crack" cocaine and marijuana in Bridgeport and the surrounding area.

The charges stem from an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force ("OCDETF") investigation dubbed "Operation Two Terrences," which was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Bridgeport. As detailed in court proceedings, beginning in the Spring 2003, the DEA Task Force began an investigation targeting the distributors of cocaine, "crack" cocaine and marijuana in and around the city of Bridgeport. The Task Force utilized information gathered from a variety of investigative techniques including information from confidential sources; controlled purchase of marijuana, cocaine and crack cocaine; video and physical surveillance; and extensive electronic surveillance.

From October 2003 through February 2004, the DEA Task Force obtained court-authorized wiretaps for several different telephones that allowed the Task Force to intercept the conversations of the defendants as they talked about their drug trafficking activities. As further revealed in court proceedings, many of the defendants spoke in a very cryptic manner or used a code that was designed to conceal the true nature of their conversations. For example, the defendants often referred to cocaine as either "food" or "girls," and they frequently used the term "tickets" to mean money.

As the investigation neared its conclusion, the Task Force executed several search warrants that resulted in the seizure of additional evidence, including extensive drug records, digital scales used for weighing narcotics, various types of drug paraphernalia, and significant quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana. According to statements made in court during detention hearings, the evidence accumulated over the course of the investigation indicates that the targeted organization was responsible for the weekly distribution of, at least, three to five kilograms of cocaine. Seized during the investigation were approximately 8 kilograms of cocaine, nearly 300 grams of crack cocaine, several firearms and over $40,000 in cash.

The first indictment charges 15 individuals with various crimes related to the distribution of cocaine and "crack" cocaine. If convicted of these offenses, the defendants face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, a $4 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release. They are:

Luis Quiles, a/k/a "Raul" and "Paco," age 36, of 3253 Olinville Avenue, Bronx, NY
Ricardo Cartagena, a/k/a "Ricky," age 39, of 141 College Street, Stratford, CT
Anton Santiago, a/k/a "Champy," age 31, of 624 Bishop Avenue, 1st Floor, Bridgeport, CT
David Arroyo, age 23, of 624 Bishop Avenue, 3rd Floor, Bridgeport, CT
Mercedes Fernandez, a/k/a "Esther," age 40, of 3253 Colden Avenue, Bronx, NY
Rafeal Iglesias, a/k/a "Pito," age 29, of 535 Vincellette Street, Bridgeport, CT
Luis Antonio Villanueva, a/k/a "Tony," age 43, of 799 Norman Street,1st Floor, Bridgeport, CT
Leomar Martinez, age 30, of 290 Harriet Street, Bridgeport, CT
Laura Gonzalez, a/k/a "Leonor," age 51, of 567 East Main Street, Apt. 3, Bridgeport, CT
Marino Santana, a/k/a "Manolo," age 41, of 260 Hollister Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
Marilu Cruz, a/k/a "Luz Cruz," age 25, of 215 North Street, Apt. 24, New Britain, CT
Michael Martinez, a/k/a "Joey Stylish," age 32, of 290 Harriet Street, Bridgeport, CT
Raymond Fairez, a/k/a "El Don," age 37, of 2465 JFK Blvd., Jersey City, NJ
Salvador Figueroa, a/k/a "Baston," age 48, of 556 Hollister Street, Stratford, CT
Aziel Garzon, age 21, of 61 Warwick Avenue, Apt. 5A, New Haven, CT

The second indictment charges seven individuals with various narcotics offenses involving the distribution of cocaine. If convicted of these offenses, the defendants face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years, a $4 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release. They are:

Ricardo Cartagena, a/k/a "Ricky," age 39, of 141 College Street, Stratford, CT
Jose Antonio Franco, a/k/a "Tony," age 40, of 804 Hallet Street, 3rd Floor, Bridgeport, CT
William Torres, age 41, of 230 National Avenue, Apt. 1, Waterbury, CT
Hector Torres, age 42, of 201 Wheeler Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
Ramon Hernandez, age 45, of 135 Greyrock Road, Bridgeport, CT
Roberto Perez-Pou, a/k/a "Robert," 34, of an unknown address in Puerto Rico
Pedro Diaz, age 36, of 2400 Webb Avenue, Apt. 1, Bronx, NY

The third indictment charges four individuals with offenses involving the distribution of marijuana. If convicted of these offenses, the defendants face a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, and at least two years of supervised release. They are:

Ricardo Cartagena, a/k/a "Ricky," age 39, of 141 College Street, Stratford, CT
Blaine Bourne, age 40, of 455 North Abrams Street, Stratford, CT
David Maldonado, age 33, resides at 87 Jewett Street, Ansonia, CT
Luis Sanchez, a/k/a "El Viejo," age 58, of 168 Berkshire Avenue, 2nd Flr, Bridgeport, CT

U.S. Attorney O'Connor emphasized that the arrests and federal charges are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent under the law and it will be the Government's burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at the time of trial.

United States Attorney, Kevin O'Connor commended the law enforcement agents and officers who conducted the investigation and praised their devoted efforts to identify, disrupt and dismantle this multi-kilogram cocaine and crack cocaine trafficking operation.

"The coordinated efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement when addressing drug trafficking is critical to the success of any operation," U.S. Attorney O'Connor stated. "The success of this investigation is due to outstanding teamwork, which has resulted in the disruption of a large illegal drug trafficking operation. The Federal Government will vigorously prosecute this matter, and will continue to work closely with state and local law enforcement to take down sophisticated drug distribution rings."

Bridgeport Police Chief Wilbur Chapman echoed this sentiment, stating "I applaud the great work of federal, state and local officers who worked together to investigate and bring to book those responsible for distributing drugs in our City. Drug trafficking is an insidious crime that tarnishes neighborhoods and communities. The residents of Bridgeport are better off as a consequence of this collaborative effort."

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force, which is located in Bridgeport and is comprised of DEA special agents, officers from the Bridgeport, Stratford, Easton, Fairfield, Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich police departments, and members of the Connecticut State Police. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark D. Rubino and Dave Vatti.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov