Binky
05-18-2005, 08:50 PM
10 accused of being part of Miami-based drug ring
By MIKE HOYEM, MHOYEM@NEWS-PRESS.COM
CHARLES RUNNELLS, CRUNNELLS@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Published by news-press.com on May 18, 2005
HOMES RAIDED
• Officials said the early morning raid hit homes at 414 N.W. 19th Terrace, 3548 N.E. 22nd Ave., 1007 N.W. Ninth Ave., 922 N.E. 33rd Lane, 3126 N.E. 15th Ave., 2402 S.W. 32nd St. and 1927 S.E. 17th Place.
Drug agents raided seven marijuana grow houses in Cape Coral on Tuesday and arrested 10 people suspected of being involved in a Miami drug gang.
"They are basically working for an organization in Miami," Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Molloy said. "This is Miami crime that has come over here and developed a criminal organization working in Cape Coral."
Federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents working with Cape Coral and Miami police officers and Lee County sheriff's deputies seized 622 plants worth about $800,000, Cape Coral police spokesman Angelo Bitsis said.
Those arrested were: Ignacio Castillo, Jr., 43; Yusimi Hernandez, 30; Jose Antonio Pena Pupo, 31; Ignacio Castillo Sr., 68; Jose Ruperto Gonzalez, 63; Ilda Antonia Carbajal, 64; Arleni Sanchez, 47; Armando Carlos Garcia, 47; Rafael Lopez, 40; and Carlos Gonzalez-Hernandez, 60.
Molloy said officials learned of the operation through arrests on the east coast. He said investigators believe the pot was being taken to Miami to be sold in other cities.
On Tuesday afternoon, the front door of the home on Southeast 17th Place showed damage from the raid. A splinter of wood and a piece of a brass lock lay on the entryway tile.
Neighbors said visitors often were at the home, the residence of Gonzalez-Hernandez, and cars parked on the grass.
"They were never parked in the garage," said Eric Hoffman, 50. "They must have had something else in the garage."
People always entered the house through a privacy fence in back, Hoffman said.
"I guess they didn't want anybody to see inside," he said.
The arrest shocked Bill and Karen Hartmann, who sometimes chatted with their neighbors and found them friendly.
"It totally blew my mind," said Bill Hartmann, 45.
The suspects moved into the house about 18 months ago and eventually put up the fence.
"They always had visitors there," said Karen Hartmann, 37.
She said she never smelled marijuana but often noticed a strong odor of incense coming from the house.
Acting Cape Coral Police Chief Rob Petrovich praised the agencies involved in the raid.
"It is unfortunate that narcotics and other illegal activities know no boundaries or borders between communities," Petrovich said. "However, neither does law enforcement when we work together as demonstrated today."
Numerous marijuana grow houses in Southwest Florida have been busted the past couple of years, including an operation in Hendry County in which more than 30,000 plants valued at $60 million were seized Jan. 5.
"The current trend indicates that marijuana trafficking organizations based in the greater Miami area have moved their operations to Lee, Collier and Hendry counties to try to avoid law enforcement detection," Molloy said.
Each person arrested faces from five to 40 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $250,000.
"The cultivation of marijuana will not be tolerated by the DEA," said Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville. "... We will continue to aggressively investigate and arrest those who choose to traffic marijuana and other illicit drugs in our communities."
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050518/NEWS0101/505180449/1075
By MIKE HOYEM, MHOYEM@NEWS-PRESS.COM
CHARLES RUNNELLS, CRUNNELLS@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Published by news-press.com on May 18, 2005
HOMES RAIDED
• Officials said the early morning raid hit homes at 414 N.W. 19th Terrace, 3548 N.E. 22nd Ave., 1007 N.W. Ninth Ave., 922 N.E. 33rd Lane, 3126 N.E. 15th Ave., 2402 S.W. 32nd St. and 1927 S.E. 17th Place.
Drug agents raided seven marijuana grow houses in Cape Coral on Tuesday and arrested 10 people suspected of being involved in a Miami drug gang.
"They are basically working for an organization in Miami," Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Molloy said. "This is Miami crime that has come over here and developed a criminal organization working in Cape Coral."
Federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents working with Cape Coral and Miami police officers and Lee County sheriff's deputies seized 622 plants worth about $800,000, Cape Coral police spokesman Angelo Bitsis said.
Those arrested were: Ignacio Castillo, Jr., 43; Yusimi Hernandez, 30; Jose Antonio Pena Pupo, 31; Ignacio Castillo Sr., 68; Jose Ruperto Gonzalez, 63; Ilda Antonia Carbajal, 64; Arleni Sanchez, 47; Armando Carlos Garcia, 47; Rafael Lopez, 40; and Carlos Gonzalez-Hernandez, 60.
Molloy said officials learned of the operation through arrests on the east coast. He said investigators believe the pot was being taken to Miami to be sold in other cities.
On Tuesday afternoon, the front door of the home on Southeast 17th Place showed damage from the raid. A splinter of wood and a piece of a brass lock lay on the entryway tile.
Neighbors said visitors often were at the home, the residence of Gonzalez-Hernandez, and cars parked on the grass.
"They were never parked in the garage," said Eric Hoffman, 50. "They must have had something else in the garage."
People always entered the house through a privacy fence in back, Hoffman said.
"I guess they didn't want anybody to see inside," he said.
The arrest shocked Bill and Karen Hartmann, who sometimes chatted with their neighbors and found them friendly.
"It totally blew my mind," said Bill Hartmann, 45.
The suspects moved into the house about 18 months ago and eventually put up the fence.
"They always had visitors there," said Karen Hartmann, 37.
She said she never smelled marijuana but often noticed a strong odor of incense coming from the house.
Acting Cape Coral Police Chief Rob Petrovich praised the agencies involved in the raid.
"It is unfortunate that narcotics and other illegal activities know no boundaries or borders between communities," Petrovich said. "However, neither does law enforcement when we work together as demonstrated today."
Numerous marijuana grow houses in Southwest Florida have been busted the past couple of years, including an operation in Hendry County in which more than 30,000 plants valued at $60 million were seized Jan. 5.
"The current trend indicates that marijuana trafficking organizations based in the greater Miami area have moved their operations to Lee, Collier and Hendry counties to try to avoid law enforcement detection," Molloy said.
Each person arrested faces from five to 40 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $250,000.
"The cultivation of marijuana will not be tolerated by the DEA," said Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville. "... We will continue to aggressively investigate and arrest those who choose to traffic marijuana and other illicit drugs in our communities."
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050518/NEWS0101/505180449/1075