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Showing posts with label caguas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label caguas. Show all posts

Friday, October 9, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For October 9, 2015


MURDERS IN SAN JUAN AND CAGUAS

















As reported today by El Nuevo Dia, two murders have been  registered
this Friday morning, one each in San Juan and Caguas. In San Juan, a
man in his early 20s was shot to death in a business on Jose De Diego
Avenue in the Puerto Nuevo area at around 6:25 AM. Meanwhile, three
individuals reached  a bakery on Degetau Avenue in Caguas around 6:27
AM.  One man came in with a bullet wound, a woman was unhurt and
a dead man sat in their car. The injured man had gone into the bakery to
call for help. Police closed Degetau, Turabo Avenue and road PR-156 in
order to investigate the incident. No motives are yet known for either
killing.


WATER RESERVOIRS SEE MODEST INCREASE 

















Recent rains brought to Puerto Rico by a tropical wave helped raise
water levels at most of the island's reservoirs. The Carraízo reservoir,
which serves part of the San Juan metro area, rose by nine centime-
ters, leaving the level at 38.47 meters this morning. However, the La
Plata reservoir, which also serves the San Juan area, did not see a le-
vel increase overnight. Users served by La Plata are still under a 24-
hour water rationing plan.


PR RESTRUCTURES EDUCATION DEPARTMENT


From Caribbean Business:

"More than 600 employees from the Puerto Rico Education Department
will be transferred to other divisions and agencies in a push to reorganize
the government. Public Affairs Secretary Jesús Manuel Ortiz said Thurs-
day that more than 400 workers will be placed in administrative positions
at public schools. The remainder will have administrative jobs at the police
department to free some 1,200 officers from desk duties and allow them to
return to the street..."


PIERLUISI FILES BILL FOR LOAN GUARANTEES


From News Is My Business:

"Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi introduced a bill Thursday that
would authorize the U.S. Treasury Department to guarantee repayment
of principal and interest on bonds to be issued in the future by the island’s
bond-issuing public entities, but only if the agency certifies that the co-
mmonwealth has “demonstrated meaningful improvement in managing
its public finances.” The “Puerto Rico Financial Improvement and Bond
Guarantee Act of 2015” would require any Puerto Rico bonds guaranteed
by Treasury to be used solely to meet urgent short-term financing needs
like Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes, to make capital expenditures t
that promote long-term economic growth (as opposed to operating expen-
ditures), or to refinance its existing bond debt at a lower interest rate..."


BOND DENIED TO ACCUSED HUSBAND-KILLER


From 680 News:

"A federal judge on Thursday denied bond to a Puerto Rican woman accu-
sed of offering a hit man $3 million to kill her wealthy Canadian husband.
Aurea Vazquez Rijos pleaded not guilty and was ordered to remain in jail
until her trial, which is scheduled to start Oct. 27. Vazquez arrived in Puer-
to Rico in late September after a court in Spain ordered her extradition. Att-
ending Thursday’s hearing was Vazquez’s mother, who was given custody
of her daughter’s baby, who was born in Spain..."




Thursday, October 1, 2015

Jaime Dávila Reyes, aka “Peluche” Sentenced To 21 Years In Prison


Press Release

Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Puerto Rico









SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today, Jaime Dávila-Reyes, aka “Peluche,” was
sentenced to 21 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearm violations, a-
nnounced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the Dis-
trict of Puerto Rico. On June 12, 2015, the defendant plead guilty to four co-
unts from three separate indictments, charging conspiracy to possess with in-
tent to distribute controlled substances. He also plead guilty to using and ca-
rrying firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

Since the year 2006, and continuing up to and until the return of the Indictment
in Criminal Case 09-390(ADC), Jaime Dávila-Reyes and others, did knowingly
and intentionally, combine, conspire, and agree with each other and with diver-
se other persons known and unknown to knowingly and intentionally possess
with intent to distribute, heroin, cocaine, cocaine base, and marihuana in protec-
ted locations throughout the Municipality of Naguabo and Caguas, Puerto Ri-
co, specifically in Ignacio Morales-Dávila Public Housing Project in Naguabo
and Jose Gautier-Benítez in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

In the second indictment, Criminal Case 13-435(FAB), the object of the conspi-
racy was to distribute controlled substances at the Gautier Benitez Public Hous-
ing Project for financial gain and profit. Dávila-Reyes was a leader of the drug
trafficking organization and controlled the drug distribution points located at the
Gautier Benitez Public Housing Project.

In the third indictment, Criminal Case 13-534(CCC), the object of the conspira-
cy was to distribute controlled substances at the Morales Ward, in the Municipa-
lity of Caguas for significant financial gain and profit. As a leader in Barriada
Morales, Dávila-Reyes was in control of the drug distribution points. He direct-
ly supervised the operations at Barriada Morales, received the proceeds from the
distribution of narcotics sold during the span of his leadership in the conspiracy
and was in charge of maintaining control of all the drug distribution activities. He
also received payment or “rent” from other drug point owners in Barriada Moral-
es. He also acted as an enforcer and supplier within the conspiracy.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue working along with state and federal
law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute criminals who deprive our
 communities of a peaceful and safe environment,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-
Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “I commend our prosecutors
and investigative agencies who did not rest until they were able to arrest Davila-
Reyes and successfully bring him to justice.”

The defendant was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Aida
Delgado-Colón. The cases were being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys
César Rivera-Giraud, Alberto López-Rocafort and Teresa Zapata-Valladares.


Friday, July 31, 2015

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 31, 2015


GURABO ON FIRE, 1,000 ACRES BURNT

Largest Reported Forest Fire In PR History


















A large forest fire broke out in an area of Gurabo on Wednesday, and is still
producing large amounts of smoke, as firefighters and the Puerto Rico Natio-
nal Guard continue their efforts to extinguish it, drawing water from the Gu-
rabo River to do so. PR Firefighters spokesman Angel Crespo told El Nuevo
Día that the fire is under control, but there are still isolated spots where it might
still be burning, and that the possibility exists for the main fire to reignite. Near-
ly 1,000 acres have been scorched on lands extending from the Police Academy
in Gurabo to the Caguas Expressway Motors dealership in nearby Caguas. Mo-
torists driving along highways PR-30 and PR-52 (Luis A. Ferré Expressway)
are being advised to drive carefully through the area today, as the haze and smo-
ke have reduced visibility. Slight rain registered over some of the island last ni-
ght did not reach the fire area. According to the authorities, the Gurabo fire is
the largest forest fire ever reported in Puerto Rico.


GOV'T CASH CRUNCH THREATENS PAYMENTS


From Caribbean Business:

"As the first month of the fiscal year comes to an end, the Puerto Rico govern-
ment continues to face significant fiscal challenges, facing several debt-servi-
ce payments that are due in August, as it maneuvers to avoid defaulting on
them amid a severe cash crunch. In all, the debt-service tab for the next mon-
th totals about $667 million..."


LA PLATA CUSTOMERS TO GO TO 2-DAY RATIONING


From The San Juan Daily Star:

As the days pass and no rain falls on the island, the drought that has hit Puerto
Rico continues to worsen and water levels at the reservoirs continue to drop.
For this reason, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has
no other choice than to extend the water rationing plan by mid-August..."


ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL EXPANDS TO PR


From Music Times:

Ultra Music Festival continues its outward expansion with a new announce-
ment that it will host a new one-day this fall in Puerto Rico. This will be the
first festival for the global electronic music festival brand in the Caribbean.
The move to Puerto Rico will take place on October 2..."



Thursday, July 23, 2015

Maps For All Water Rationing Zones


Carraízo


These zones are under 48-hour rationing (running water is on for one day, off for
two days). Zone A is shaded in green. Zone  B is shaded in blue. PF Canóvanas
is in purple.



Rationing calendar



La Plata


These zones are under 24-hour rationing (water off every other day). North Zone is
in orange, South Zone is in yellow.



Rationing calendar



Guaynabo


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. North Zone is in purple, South Zone
is in pink.





Corozal / Naranjito


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. North Zone is in purple, South Zone is
in pink.





Eastern Puerto Rico


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. Caguas North Zone 1 is in blue, Zone
2 is green. Caguas South Zone 1 is yellow, Zone 2 is pink. Juncos Zone 1 is in
orange and Zone 2 in burgundy.




Río Grande, Loíza and Luquillo; high areas are in yellow.






Coamo, Salinas and Santa Isabel

These zones are under 12-hour rationing. Zone A is in green and Zone B is
in blue.




All information is from Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados.





Tuesday, June 23, 2015

22 Individuals Charged In Superseding Indictment For Drug Trafficking In The Municipality Of Caguas


Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Puerto Rico
Press Release


SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On June 19, 2015, a federal grand jury in the
District of Puerto Rico returned a superseding indictment against 22 de-
fendants charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and
distribution of, controlled substances, announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-
Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Puerto Rico Police Department
(PRPD), Caguas Strike Force, are in charge of the investigation.

On August 7, 2013, federal and state authorities arrested 139 individuals
from several areas in the municipality of Caguas. These individuals were
charged in four separate indictments. Seventy-nine of those charged were
part of a drug trafficking organization which operated in the Turabo Heights
Public Housing Project. Today, law enforcement authorities executed 22
arrest warrants against the individuals who continued operating the drug
points at Turabo Heights, after the arrests in 2013.

The superseding indictment charges 22 individuals for conspiracy to know-
ingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack),
heroin, cocaine, marihuana, Oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet) and
Alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax), all within 1,000 feet of the real
property comprising the Turabo Heights Public Housing Project, a housing
facility owned by a public housing authority, and other areas nearby and
within the Municipality of Caguas, Puerto Rico.

During the span of the conspiracy, in order to be able to operate a drug point
at Turabo Heights, “rent” would be paid to the leaders of the drug trafficking
organization and their family members. As part of the manner and means of
the conspiracy, control of the drug points at Turabo Heights was, obtained and
maintained by the use of force, violence, and intimidation. The drug points
operated twenty-four (24) hours a day in 3 shifts per day, including a “mid-
night marihuana” shift. Facilitators would act as intermediaries in drug sale
transactions when clients opted not to enter the housing project.

The leader of the organization, José A. García-Cosme, aka “Papo Cachete”
was arrested in August of 2013 during the first round of arrests involving this
organization. During his absence from the Turabo Heights Public Housing
Project, García-Cosme maintained control of the drug points through indivi-
duals and co-defendants directly designated by him. These individuals mana-
ged the daily activities of the drug points, the execution of the main leader’s
orders, the collection of payments or “rent” from the different drug point own-
ers, and the safe delivery of those payments or “rent” directly to the leader.

The superseding indictment also alleges that the co-conspirators had many
roles in order to further the goals of the conspiracy, including: the leader, José
A. García-Cosme, aka “Papo Cachete”; suppliers; enforcers; runners; sellers;
and facilitators. Defendants Juan R. Matos-Vázquez, aka “Juan Cabezón;”
Israel Arroyo-Serrano, aka “Pacho;” Alfredo Rivera-Flores, aka “Mamita;”
and Raymond O. Díaz, aka “Ratón,” are also facing one charge of conspiracy
to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The other defendants are: Ramón L. Massa-González, aka “Flaco;” Luz E.
García-Cosme, aka “La Vieja;” Gabriel Arroyo-Serrano, aka “Gloty;” Carlos
Andrés García-Cintrón, aka “Carlitos;” Luis Montañez-Matos, aka “Tío Baúl;”
Ricardo Pastrana-Tollens, aka “Ricky;” Héctor I. Llorens-Ruiz, aka “Cuajo;”
Julio Velázquez-Báez, aka “Mueca;” Israel Banks-Jiménez, aka “Cascarita;”
Javier Colón-González, aka “Loquillo;” John Martir-Rosado, aka “Al Qaeda;”
Xavier Martínez, aka “Manota;” Jessamine Román-Rosa, aka “Katty;” Christian
Colón-Agosto, aka “Loco Hugo;” Miguel Benítez-Benítez, aka “Bebeto;” Ray-
naldo Vázquez-Centeno, aka “Shamu;” and Neftalí Gómez-Dones. The defen-
dants are facing a forfeiture allegation of forty-five million dollars.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort and Teresa Zapata-Valladares
are in charge of the prosecution of the case.  If convicted the defendants face a
minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. Indictments contain only
charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent
until and unless proven guilty.

The defendants were the targets of a long-term Organized Crime Drug Enforce-
ment Task Force (OCDEFT) investigation. The principal mission of the OCD-
ETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug traffic-
king, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those prima-
rily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.