News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2006
Waldo P. Santiago
800-718-0781

DEA Investigation Results in Three Arrests and the Seizure of 1 Kilogram of Heroin, ¾ Kilogram of Cocaine, 10 Firearms, and 3 Vehicles in Arecibo, PR

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Jerome M. Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Caribbean Division today announced the arrests of three (3) individuals and the seizure of approximately 1 kilogram of heroin, ¾ kilogram of cocaine, ten firearms, 3 vehicles, 1 jet ski, and drug paraphernalia as a result of a Federal search warrant executed in Arecibo, Puerto Rico yesterday.

The individuals arrested were: Carmelo RONDON-Feliciano, 30 years of age, alias PANZON, alias OMI, Eduardo DIAZ, 32 years of age, alias GALDI and Cristian LOPEZ-Lebron, 21 years of age. RONDON-Feliciano had two outstanding arrests warrants from the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and from the District of Connecticut for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act. DIAZ had an outstanding arrest warrant from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut for conspiracy to possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. RONDON-Feliciano and DIAZ were arrested at RONDON-Feliciano’s residence located at Urbanizacion Los Pinos, M-5, Calle Junipero Salvira, in Arecibo, PR. At RODON-Feliciano’s residence the DEA agents seized a late model Nissan Frontier Truck. Inside RODON-Feliciano truck, DEA agents discovered a Belgium made Fabrique National caliber 5.7 pistol with an obliterated serial number and loaded with two magazines of armor piercing ammunition. RONDON-Feliciano and DIAZ are believed to be members of a drug trafficking organization which distributes cocaine and heroin in Puerto Rico, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. RONDON-Feliciano was wanted in the District of Puerto Rico in connection to a shipment of approximately ½ kilogram of cocaine intercepted by United States Postal Inspection Service Inspectors which he had allegedly shipped via the U.S. Mail to Massachusetts.

Yesterday, DEA agents from the DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Ponce Resident Office executed a federal search warrant at a residence located on Calle 4, B-61, Barrio Las Brisas, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. At the residence the DEA agents arrested LOPEZ-Lebron in possession of approximately 1 kilogram of Heroin, ¼ kilogram of heroin, and nine (9) firearms. Amongst the firearms seized in LOPEZ-Lebron’s possession were two (2) AK-47 rifles, one of them fully automatic, and (1) Marlin caliber .45 rifle. These rifles had their serial numbers obliterated. In addition, LOPEZ-Lebron was in possession on one (1) Smith & Wesson caliber .40 pistol, one (1) Taurus caliber 9mm pistol, one (1) Smith & Wesson caliber 9mm pistol, one (1) Berreta caliber 9mm pistol, and two (2) Glock caliber .40 pistols. At the residence the DEA agents also found large amounts of rounds of ammunitions of different calibers and numerous high capacity ammunition magazines for different types of pistols and rifles. The DEA agents also discovered large amounts of drug paraphernalia and drug processing equipment at the residence. The DEA agents also seized a late model Toyota Sequoia and Mitsubishi Nativa Sport Utility Vehicles and a Sea Doo Jet Ski. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives took custody of all the firearms for further analysis. LOPEZ-Lebron was charged with possession with the intent to distribute heroin and cocaine in violation to the United States Controlled Substances Act and with multiple violations of violations to the United States Firearms Laws. LOPEZ-Lebron is RONDON-Feliciano’s nephew.

All defendants appeared before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Justo Arenas who ordered their detention without bail and remanded them to the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending their preliminary hearing. The case had been referred for consideration by a federal Grand Jury by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. The Police of Puerto Rico also participated in the investigation. All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.