12 charged in South Florida drug trafficking ring involving MS-13 – NBC 6 South Florida

Twelve suspects, including members of the notorious MS-13 and Mexican Mafia gangs, are facing charges in connection with the investigation of a drug ring in South Florida, authorities said.

The 12 suspects are accused of conspiring with each other and others to possess and distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Broward and Miami-Dade, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced Friday.

Among the defendants are:

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

Five suspects are also charged with intent to distribute a mixture and a substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.

Prosecutors say some of the suspects are members of the notorious international gangs MS-13, Sur-13 and the Mexican Mafia.

Authorities began arresting the suspects on September 12, and many of them have already appeared in court.

If found guilty, they face life imprisonment.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office, along with other agencies in Florida and California.