LOS ANGELES
Federal agents arrested five people named in a 10-count superseding indictment that charges a multimillion-dollar drug trafficking organization with shipping more than 22 tons of cocaine and $100 million in cash between Los Angeles and New York, officials stated.
The group allegedly used high-end freight forwarders that typically ship jewelry and fine art to conceal cocaine in locked plastic cases, moving at least 1,300 parcels over several years.
Prosecutors say the organization operated from a jewelry store front in downtown Los Angeles and funneled cocaine to New York’s Diamond District while routing drug proceeds back west for laundering.
Those arrested Tuesday include Jamel Donald Levy, 52, of Brooklyn; Bruce Adams, 50, of the Bronx; Cindy Rachel Imbert, 33, of Englewood, N.J.; Nohely Jimenez-Ruiz, 30, of Los Angeles; and Lorna “Cookie” Martinez, 42, of Los Angeles, officials stated.
Alleged ringleaders David “Gotti/Fat Boy” Rodriguez, 45, of Dumont, N.J., and Raymond “Sal/White Boy” O’Connell, 39, of Manhattan, have been in custody since last year. Another defendant, Ronell Sweat, 47, is already serving a 15-year federal sentence.
Authorities are seeking Daniel “Nice” Vega, 52, and Gregory “G” Benitez, 40, both of New York City.
Rodriguez and O’Connell face charges including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, cocaine distribution, and money laundering.
If convicted, they face up to life in prison.
During the probe, investigators seized $2.8 million in cash, nearly 1,600 pounds of cocaine, luxury vehicles, and jewelry, officials stated.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.