A federal grand jury in Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging seven individuals with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute on the US mainland

United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Stephen Muldrow, announced the indictment yesterday.

The accused have been identified as Freddie “Boss” Talavera-Acevedo, Katherine Pérez-Martínez, Edwin “Papilla Jr” Gómez-Vale, Edwin Papilla/Paquio” Alberto Gómez-Medina, Tamara “Mara” Enid Acevedo-Torres, Tasha “Negra” Marie Cordero-Dilan and Jayson Zabdiel “Barbero/Negro” Cardona-Morales.

The indictment alleges that from 2018 until May 2022, the defendants conspired to mail quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico to the continental United States for further distribution, all for significant financial gain and profit.

Muldrow stated: “Drug trafficking destroys families and communities.”

“This organisation fed a pipeline of drugs ultimately sold on American streets, fostering violence and drug addiction across the nation. The US Attorney’s Office and its partners will continue to pursue drug traffickers who operate in all Puerto Rico areas and seek justice for our communities.”

Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, said: “Criminal organisations are constantly looking for ways to transport narcotics to the continental United States, using Puerto Rico as a trans-shipment point because of its strategic location in the Caribbean.”

“This case is an example of the FBI’s commitment to combat drug trafficking organisations, using an intelligence-driven approach to disrupt their criminal operations at all levels. I’d like to thank the US Attorney’s Office, the US Postal Service, Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and the Aguadilla Strike Force for their continued work in support of our joint mission.”