News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2009
For Information Contact:
Waldo P. Santiago
Public Information Officer
787-277-4700

Strike Force Conviction Rate Remains at 100%

SEP 04 - SAN JUAN, PR - United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez announced today that out of 95 defendants from the “Combo Doctor Pila” operative on August 3, 2007, 79 defendants have plead guilty and five defendants were found guilty of all counts by a jury. The drug trafficking organization was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, crack, cocaine and marijuana at 22 different drug points in the municipalities of Ponce and Juana Díaz, PR. This investigation was conducted by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and the Ponce Strike Force.

This violent drug trafficking organization operated from the year 2003 until August 2007. Defendant Danny Guzmán Correa, aka “Danny Pincho,” a leader within the organization, is facing a mandatory life sentence due to previous convictions. The other defendants: Alexis Rodríguez Rodríguez, aka “Sandro,” Jorge Fournier Olavarría, aka “Mesón,” are facing a minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and up to life imprisonment, while Fernando Castillo Morales, aka “Yaguita,” and José David Acosta Colón, aka “David” are facing a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and up to life. The defendants will be sentenced by Senior District Judge Juan Pérez Giménez on December 10 at 9:30 am.

Defendant Jorge Fournier Olavarría is the owner of the 24 hours restaurant “El Mesón By Pass” and a facilitator within the conspiracy. He provided firearms, ammunitions and vehicles to the drug trafficking organization. Also, during the course of the conspiracy, Fournier Olavarría would finance the purchase of narcotics for a specific drug point.

“With the convictions of these five defendants we have demonstrated that the Strike Force efforts are providing positive results to the community. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue working along with other law enforcement agencies to fight against violent organizations that deprive the communities of a peaceful and safe environment,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.

"Today's verdict reinforces DEA commitment to continue our relentless fight against drug trafficking and violent crime," said DEA Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña. "DEA continues to aggressively pursue other criminal drug trafficking organizations that endanger the safety and peace our communities. We will not stop until they are brought before justice to answer for their crimes."

The case was investigated by the DEA and the Puerto Rico Police Department (Ponce Strike Force) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys José Capó Iriarte and Myriam Fernández González.

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