Nine Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced

Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza has sentenced the last of nine co-defendants for charges related to an Orlando Drug Trafficking Organization. Each of the defendants previously pleaded guilty. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. See details below:

According to court documents, these individuals were part of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) known as the "6's," that operated in the City of Orlando. The DTO was led by Jonnathan Enrique Perez-Colon, a/k/a "Chuy," and used three residential properties to weigh and package dealer packs of cocaine and fentanyl in small baggies, which were later delivered to lower-level drug dealers located in various distribution areas. Specifically, members of this DTO would "cut" and pre-package these narcotics in "packs." These "packs" contained several dozens of small baggies containing cocaine, fentanyl, or a mix of fentanyl and cocaine called "hot shots" that provided drug users with a half-stimulant ("up") and a half-depressant ("down") effect. Each narcotic was packaged in a specific-colored small baggie. Once ready for delivery, some members of the DTO-who were also responsible for the DTO's operations at the residential properties-would deliver these packs to the DTO's street-level dealers to be sold to customers at the distribution areas.

Throughout their investigation in 2022 and 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Orlando Police Department (OPD) identified the residential properties and the distribution areas where the 6s sold their narcotics. Investigators also identified the leader of the DTO as Jonnathan Perez-Colon, who also stored and packaged narcotics at a residence maintained by Neizliann Rivera-Rivera. Other DTO members who operated and resided at the stash houses were identified as Omar Lugo-Villalobos (a/k/a "Musol"), Yamauris Sanchez, Jose Quinones-Echevarria (a/k/a "Flako"), Yailyn Galva-Zapata and Shaquille Carino Maysonet (a/k/a "Shaq"). Law enforcement also identified the DTO members who operated the distribution locations where the narcotics were sold to customers, including Quinones-Echevarria and Alberto Velez-Concepcion (a/k/a "Gordo"). The investigation also revealed that Perez Colon resided in Davenport with Janitza Marie Rojas-Ramos, who laundered proceeds of the DTO for Perez-Colon through several different financial institutions.

On January 6, 2023, the DEA and OPD executed multiple simultaneous search warrants at the residential stash houses and distribution points. Agents seized over 1,200 individual baggies containing cocaine and/or fentanyl. They also recovered a larger amount of cocaine and fentanyl being used to resupply the dealers, which the DTO attempted to flush down the toilet as agents made forcible entry into one of the stash houses:

Above: 368 grams of fentanyl being packaged at one of the stash houses

Above: 366 grams of fentanyl and cocaine and 215 grams of methamphetamine,

which Sanchez attempted to flush when DEA and OPD executed the warrant

In total, agents seized more than 2,000 grams of cocaine, over 800 grams of fentanyl, and at least 215 grams of methamphetamine. Additionally, agents recovered a "kilo press" used to press kilogram bricks of narcotics, two Glock pistols, two Smith & Wesson handguns, two rifles, and $15,720 in drug proceeds, all of which were ordered forfeited by the court.

In addition to the narcotics investigation, agents from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated the financial transactions related to the DTO and determined that Perez Colon, Sanchez, Rojas Ramos, and Rivera-Rivera each knowingly and willfully agreed to launder drug proceeds. The IRS identified more than $225,000 in laundered funds, and over $50,000 in wire transfers to individuals in the Dominican Republic used to pay for drugs.

"Members of this drug trafficking organization distributed dangerous drugs such as fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine throughout the City of Orlando," said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. "The diligent pursuit and hard work by our local and federal law enforcement partners have brought these illegal activities to an end, and the defendants to justice."

"This drug trafficking organization operated with complete impunity, distributing dangerous substances in Central Florida," said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, DEA Tampa Field Division. "The amount of fentanyl we seized could potentially contain 800,000 deadly doses. Orlando communities will be safer with these criminals off the streets."

"Drug traffickers may move product, but they always leave a financial trail-one that our IRS-CI Special Agents are uniquely trained to uncover," said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. "This case showcases how powerful it is when IRS-CI's investigative efforts join forces with federal, state, and local partners."

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Orlando Police Department; and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office, Financial Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of the St. Cloud Police Department, the Kissimmee Police Department, the Winter Park Police Department, the Casselberry Police Department, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael P. Felicetta, Dana E. Hill, Michael Sartoian, and Noah P. Dorman. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole M. Andrejko is handling the forfeiture.