12 suspects, including MS-13 and Mexican mafia members, charged in Florida with drug trafficking

A federal indictment unsealed Friday charges 12 people, including members of the international criminal gangs MS-13, Sur-13 and the Mexican Mafia, with drug-related crimes in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in the Southern District of Florida.

The 12-count indictment names Edgar Garcia-Velasquez, aka “Diablo,” 34, a Honduran national, Francisco Rangel, aka “Casper,” 41, of California, Gabriela Rodriguez-Carrillo, 42, of California, Luis Portillo, aka “Shadow” or “Sombra,” 35, of Miami, Jose Puga, aka “Stranger,” 45, of California, Malinda Martinez, 42, of Fort Myers, Karina Martinez-Vazquez, 34, of Miami, Rafael Gutierrez, aka “Rafy,” 28, of Miami, Jose Hernandez, aka “Blue Demon” or “Labomba3,” 39, of Belle Glade, Loupe Loredo, aka “L3g3nd,” 39, of Lake Wales, Felipe Gonzalez, aka “Wicked,” 41, of California, and Hugo Cruz, aka “Houdini”, 33, from LaBelle, Florida.

Read: Sinaloa Cartel Co-Founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Arrested in Texas

The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to possess 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Additionally, Garcia-Velasquez, Rodriguez-Carrillo, Puga, Gonzalez and Martinez-Vazquez are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in the same areas.

Several suspects, including Garcia-Velasquez, Martinez, Portillo, Gutierrez, Puga, Loredo and Martinez-Vazquez, also face charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in South Florida.

The arrests of the suspects began on September 12, when the suspects made their initial court appearances in the Southern District of Florida. If found guilty, they all face life in prison.

Read: Dismantling the Sinaloa Cartel’s Deadly Grip: The Downfall of Florida’s Fentanyl Barons

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida announced the indictment, which involves federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO).

Multiple agencies led the investigation, including HSI Fort Lauderdale, FBI Miami, ATF Fort Lauderdale, and DEA Miami, with support from HSI and FBI offices in Los Angeles and Fort Myers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertila Fernandez is leading the prosecution.

Read: Sinaloa Mexican Drug Cartel Tied to Florida Fentanyl Trafficking Operation “Hot Dirt”

This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative, which aims to dismantle high-level drug traffickers and transnational criminal organizations through a collaborative, intelligence-led approach.

Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to support independent journalism. Your contribution will allow us to continue to provide high-quality local and national news reporting.

Android users: Download our free app to stay up to date with the latest news.

Contact us: Follow Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.

To register: Subscribe to our free newsletter and receive a carefully curated selection of the most important stories straight to your inbox.