Puerto Rico News Digest For May 24, 2016

VOTE ON CONTROL BOARD TOMORROW

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"The U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee confir-
med that it will hold a hearing Wednesday to vote on legislation that impo-
ses a fiscal control board on Puerto Rico. In an official statement issued late
last week by the committee chaired by Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), the comm-
ittee established that it would begin the mark-up of the bill on Tuesday at 5
p.m. and the process would extend until Wednesday between 10 a.m. and
12:30 p.m., according to a report by CyberNews..."

'LOS LOBOS' GANGSTERS CAUGHT NEAR MEX BORDER

From Breitbart:

"Two members of a dangerous Puerto Rican gang that operates in a manner
similar to a drug cartel  have been arrested near the Texas border. Federal au-
thorities recently arrested Carlos E.  “El Negro” Carrion Nieves and Orlando
“Elvin” Martinez Nunez near this border city. The two men are named in a six-
count federal indictment out of Puerto Rico, accusing 17 members of the group
with multiple crimes in furtherance of the criminal organization. While federal
authorities do not refer to the Puerto Rican criminal organization as a cartel, a
close look at the indictment reveals that their method of operation is very simi-
lar to those used by drug cartels in Mexico..."

SAN JUAN MAYOR GETS 'F' ON FINANCES

From Caribbean Business:

"Puerto Rico Comptroller Yesmín Valdivieso blasted San Juan Mayor Car-
men Yulín Cruz on Monday, giving a grade of “F” to the mayor’s handling
of the capital city’s finances and refuting the mayor’s claims of having a sur-
plus in the municipal coffers. During an AM news radio interview in Notiuno
630, Valdivieso said that Cruz had earned a failing grade because “she is car-
rying a debt of [around] $888 million as of June 2014.” The comptroller added
that the mayor’s claims of a surplus were “not real because the so-called surplus
is the result of a loan...”

GOVERNOR PITCHES $9.1 BILLION BUDGET

From News Is My Business:

"Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro García-Padilla on Monday unveiled a proposed
budget for Fiscal 2017 of $9.1 billion, down $700 million from the original
budget that was approved last year and $192 million less than the adjusted cu-
rrent budget. The proposed budget — which must be approved by the Legisla-
ture by June 30, the end of the current fiscal year — is based on an actual pro-
jection of revenues and includes a reduction in the government’s operating ex-
penses of nearly $3 billion, compared with the last spending budget filed by
the previous administration..."

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 4, 2015

GANGS TURN AVENUE INTO WARZONE

65th Infantry Avenue Closed For Three Hours

As reported by El Nuevo Dia, Police had to close off a stretch of 65th

Infantry Avenue in Rio Piedras as gang members from  Monte Hatillo

public housing project and the Berwind apartment buildings across the

road traded gunfire on Wednesday night. No deaths or injuries have
been reported as a result of the gunfire. A local school had to be eva-

cuated yesterday due to threats of further violence in the area. Police

believe that the latest outburst of violence came about due to the recent

murder of Héctor Nussa Román, who was the stepbrother of the alleged

head of drug sales in Monte Hatillo. Shootings in the area are sporadic,

but have been happening for years.

CARRAIZO GOES TO TWO-DAY RATIONING

Puerto Rico's water utility, AAA, has announced that water levels at the
Carraízo reservoir -- which serves Trujillo Alto, Carolina and parts of San
Juan -- is now high enough that water rationing for areas served by Carraí-
zo is being cut back to two days without water and one day with water. The
change begins today, after several weeks of water users being restricted to
two days of running water a week. About 160,000 AAA customers would
be affected by the change. Recent rains have swollen Carraízo's level to 37.
14 meters. Users of the La Plata reservoir are still also under "phase two"
water restrictions, with water off for two days at a time.

PREPA DEAL CAPS RATE HIKE AT 8¢

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The hike that Puerto Rico consumers will see in their electricity bill, which
must be approved by the Energy Commission, is not going to be higher than
the eight cents estimated in a five-year business plan prepared by the Puerto
Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) following an agreement reached with
the Ad Hoc Group of bondholders. PREPA Chief Restructuring Officer Lisa
Donahue said the final rate structure will be determined by the outcome of
talks with the other PREPA creditors -- banks and the utility’s insurance com-
panies. Those talks are expected to be completed by Sept. 18, which is when
the forbearance agreement between PREPA and its creditors is expected to
expire. TheAd Hoc Group represents 35 percent of the debt.

ARECIBO INCINERATORS GETS FINAL PERMIT

From News Is My Business:

Energy Answers confirmed Wednesday that the Puerto Rico Environmental
Quality Board has granted the final permit to build a facility for the processing
of non-hazardous solid waste at the Cambalache Sector in Arecibo. The review
process of this permit began in 2012 under the administration of Gov. Luis For-
tuño and included two separate public hearings and extended periods of time for
comment in writing, ensuring broad public participation in the permitting pro-
cess. “The periods for written comments exceeded by far the established regu-
latory requirements and what is usual and customary for a facility handling so-
lid waste as proposed,” the company said.

USDA DESIGNATES 17 TOWNS DISATER AREAS

From Caribbean Business:

Although Puerto Rico has received much-needed rain in the past week, primari-
ly due to Tropical Storm Erika and a tropical wave, the U.S. Department of Agri-
culture has declared an additional 17 municipalities in Puerto Rico as natural di-
saster areas due to the ongoing drought conditions. These additional municipali-
ties are: Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Bayamón, Cataño, Ceiba, Coamo, Comerío,
Dorado, Guaynabo, Loíza, Naguabo, Naranjito, San Juan, Santa Isabel, Toa Al-
ta, Toa Baja  and Vega Alta.

Feds Bust 'Rompe ONU' Gang, 105 Charged With Crimes

One of the Largest RICO cases in the history of the Department 

of Justice

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office / District of Puerto Rico

July 22nd, 2015

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A nine (9) count federal indictment was unsealed today 

in the District of Puerto Rico charging one hundred and five (105) defendants with 

racketeering, drug trafficking, drive-by shooting murders and related firearm offenses, 

announced Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Puerto Rico 

Police Department (PRPD)- San Juan and Carolina Strike Forces were in charge of the 

investigation, with the assistance of PRPD’s Major Crimes Unit.

The indictment alleges that the defendants are part of a criminal organization known 

as “La Rompe ONU.” Through its criminal activities “La Rompe ONU” enriched its 

members and maintained and increased the power of the organization. Members of “

La Rompe ONU” would sell crack, cocaine, heroin, and marihuana in public housing 

projects, including: Jardines del Paraíso, Villa Andalucía, Alturas de Cupey, Jardines 

de Cupey, Brisas de Cupey, Los Claveles, Nuestra Señora de Covodonga, Los Lirios, 

Jardines de Monte Hatillo, Jardines de Campo Rico, Jardines de Berwind, San Martín, 

Monte Park, and Villa Lomas Verdes Public Housing Projects; as well as El Polvorín 

Ward, Mango Sector and other surrounding areas within the municipalities of San Juan, 

Trujillo Alto and Carolina, PR. Moreover, members of the organization used violence 

and intimidation, including murder, to increase the power, territory, and profits of “La 

Rompe ONU.”

Members of “La Rompe ONU” had different roles in order to further the goals of the 

enterprise. As alleged in the indictment, there were thirty-five (35) leaders/drug point 

owners/drug point administrators, who directed and supervised the organization’s cri-

minal activities; twenty-five (25) enforcers; eight (8) suppliers; eleven (11) runners; 

twenty-five (25) sellers; and one (1) drug processor.

According to the indictment, as part of the racketeering conspiracy, the organization 

committed twelve (12) murders, including three (3) massacres. Enforcers of “La Rom-

pe ONU” carried out the murders of the following individuals:

On February 8, 2011, enforcers shot and killed David González-Reyes, aka “Chispa.”
On May 10, 2011, enforcers shot and killed Ricco Luis Dávila-Díaz. On June 25, 2011, 

during a “drive-by” shooting, enforcers shot and killed Edwin Díaz-Cruz, Hervin Val-

carcel-Martínez, aka “Prieto,” Javier Catala-Bermúdez, and Orlando Meléndez-Ville-

gas. This massacre is known as the “Tortuguero Massacre.”On July 20, 2011, during

a “drive-by” shooting, enforcers shot and killed Santos Díaz-Camacho, aka “Joel Ba-

zooka,” Juan Rosario-Mercado, aka “Toñito,” and Kevin Soto-Román, aka “El Gor-

do.” This massacre is known as the “Paseos Massacre.”On August 28, 2012, during a 

“drive-by” shooting, enforcers shot and killed Luis Ojeda-Andino, aka “Pollo,” Luis 

Velázquez-Aquino, aka “Urraca,” and José Ayala-García. This massacre is known 

as the “Jardines de Cupey Massacre.”

According to the indictment, sixty-nine (69) of the one hundred and five (105) defen-

dants are charged with using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug tra-

fficking crime. Thirty-two (32) firearms were seized from the defendants during the 

investigation, and they face a forfeiture allegation of eighty-two million dollars ($82,

000,000).

“The historic indictment unsealed today shows our continued efforts to dismantle dan-

gerous criminal organizations operating in our communities. We remain undeterred in 

our commitment to ensure safety and seek justice for victims of violent crimes in Puer-

to Rico,” said Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto 

Rico. “‘La Rompe ONU’ will no longer terrorize law abiding citizens in Puerto Rico. 

We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to build solid cases against these 

individuals, and bring them to justice.”

“Today’s arrests demonstrate law enforcement’s commitment to dismantle violent drug 

trafficking gangs that are affecting the quality of life of our law abiding citizens in the 

community. The key to this fight is bringing the resources of all levels of government to 

empower law enforcement to target organized groups of violent criminals with enhanced 

punishment and criminal penalties through the utilization of federal statutes, such as, the 

Violent Crime in Aiding and Abetting Racketeering statute. This sends a clear message 

that our community will not tolerate the heinous activity perpetrated by gangs like ‘La 

Rompe ONU,’ and evidences our commitment to work together to dismantle violent 

street gangs,” stated Hugo Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Miami Field Divi-

sion.


The defendants are: Josué Vázquez-Carrasquillo, aka “Mayito/Mayo/El Father”; Pedro 

Vigio-Aponte, aka “Pedrito/Pedrito He-Man/Pello/Pedrito Trauma”; Frankie Rosa-Cal-

derón aka “Anky/El Negro/Frank”; Luis F. Alicea-Colón, aka “Trenza/Enano/Luis Tren-

za”; Miguel Vázquez-Martínez, aka “Miguelo/Radio/Miclo/Bj”; Rubén Cotto-Andino, 

aka “Rubén El Negro”; Ernesto Morales-Castro, aka “Nestor/Los Gorditos”; Christian 

Morales-Castro, aka “Bimbo/Los Gorditos”; Reyfrank Quiñones-Carrión, aka “Pelotero”; 

Kelvin D. Morales-Cintrón; Ismael Méndez-Arroyo, aka “Bolillo”; Michael Muñiz-Sán-

chez; Jonathan Pérez-Rodríguez, aka “Perra/Perreke”; José L. Ortiz-Aguirre, aka “Cheo

/Cheo Cedeño”; Reinaldo Rodríguez-Martínez, aka “Pitbull”; William Ortiz-Aguirre, 

aka “Playa/Play”; Kidanny Figueroa-Osorio, aka “Sony/Sonata”; José L. Soto-Rivera, 

aka “Luisito/Scary”; José E. Mojica-Robles, aka “Papito Mojica”; Victor M. Rodríguez-

Torres, aka “Cuca/Cucaracha/Papotin”; Rafael Andino-Ojeda, aka “Rafa/Rafa Colgate/

Boca Chula”; Myles J. Román-Adorno; Guillermo Sánchez-Mora, aka “Guillo”; Emanuel 

Zabala-Pérez, aka “Punky/Dalmata”; Alexander Rivera-Carrión, aka “Lechon”; David E. 

Rodríguez-Castro; Rafael Hiraldo-Alejandro, aka “Bolillo”; Alexis Cartagena-Gerena, 

aka “Pollo”; Ángel L. Soto-Ramos, aka “Huesito”; Oscar A. Calviño-Acevedo, aka 

“Alex”; Jesús De-Jesús-Colón, aka “Romulo”; José L. Méndez-De-Jesús, aka “Sonso/

Nariz”; William Zambrana-Sierra, aka “W/Willito”; Edgar González-Rivera, aka “Eggy”; 

Arnaldo Alicea-Colón, aka “Naldito”; Xavier Castro-Vega, aka “Raton”; Carlos M. 

Guerrero-Castro, aka “Carlitos El Negro/Marcel”; Analdi Tanco-Moreno, aka “Kimbito”

; Orlando J. Santana, aka “Fino”; Luis F. Rodríguez-Márquez, aka “Cheykin”; Jesús E.

 Montalvan-Díaz, aka “Luis Garcia-Diaz/Willy Wonka”; Amaury Méndez-Rosado, aka 

“Boty”; Luis Yanyore-Pizarro, aka “Kimbo/Bauncer/Jose Boria-Millan”; FNU LNU, 

aka “Eziel”; Luis Martínez-Nieves, aka “Raya/Trenza”; Michael Rivera-Rodríguez; 

Alvin A. Cabezas-Cintrón, aka “Ardilla”; Jaime M. Semiday-Pérez; Kenny O. Pacheco, 

aka “Keny/Bolin”; Roberto Fuentes-Pacheco, aka “Junito Parcha”; Roger Falu-Diaz, 

aka “Gua”; Félix A. Malave-Torres, aka “Cholon”; Edgardo Luna-López, aka “Piri/

Enano”; Jessy J. Meléndez-Hernández, aka “Koby/El Negro/Lely”; Denzel Rodríguez-

Caraballo; Abimael Cruz-Rodríguez; aka “Lindo/Feo/Metra”; Ángel L. Cotto-Negrón; 

aka “Quija/Kija”; José E. Rivera-Maldonado, aka “Camon”; FNU LNU, aka “Gaby”; 

José D. Resto-Figueroa, aka “Tego”; Orlando Padilla-Ayala, aka “Oreo/Willito/Angel

 M. Santiago-Ayala”; Kernis Rodríguez-Rivera, aka “Sosa”; Walter D. Muller-Colón, 

aka “Vampy/Bolo”; Wilfredo Ruiz, aka “Freddy”; Carlos E. Brioso-Collantes, aka 

“El Barber/Wiso El Barber”; Carlos Velázquez-Fontanez, aka “Pirin”; Jonathan Figue-

roa-Catinchi, aka “Katinchi”; Iram I. Santander-Zulueta, “Cubano”; Charlie J. Fournier-

Collazo, aka “Chiry”; Edgardo R. Ruano-Chévere, aka “Masacre/Masa”; Francisco J. 

González-Camacho, aka “Lento”; Nestor R. Concepción-Rivera, aka “Nesti/Kilate”; 

Ivette Vázquez-Droz, aka “Ive/Precious Moments”; Billy Villanueva-Carrasquillo, aka 

“Meca/Billy Meca”; Jayfrank Quiñones-Carrión; Félix Rodríguez-Rodríguez, aka “Correa/Baloncelista/El Indio”; Daniel O. Martínez-Vélez, aka “Berto”; Luis F. Díaz-

Tineo, aka “Pipen/Pipe”; Josué O. Figueroa-Rodríguez; Ramón Vicenty-Rivera, aka 

“Poke”; Luis E. Guadalupe-Camacho, aka “Yaya/Yayi/Ardilla”; Julio N. Matos-Sán-

chez, aka “Julio Maraña”; Reynaldo González-Zayas, aka “Cuto”; Bryan Martínez, aka 

“Fat Boy”; Damian Fernández-Jorge; José A. Fournier-Collazo, aka “Semilla”; Kevin 

Castro-Vega; Juan Guadalupe-Delgado, aka “Bocao”; David García-Franco, aka “Da-

vid Nota”; Giovani Justiniano-Díaz, aka “Zegueta”; Christian Vázquez-Hernández, aka 

“Chapa”; James Steele-Torres, aka “Negro Steele”; Nilda Santiago-Espinosa, aka “Ka-

ty”; Alex Santiago-Crespo, aka “Papo Swing/Ale”; Francisco Vargas-Sánchez, aka “Ma-

raña”; Carlos Miranda, aka “Eo”; Ramón Andino-Peguero, aka “Mono”; Victor Alfonso

-Jorge, aka “Nano”; Héctor J. Cruz-Vargas, aka “Punky”; Yamil Arrizmendi-Santana, 

aka “El Mono”; Robert D. Pérez-Núñez, aka “Minino”; Anthony Espada-Colón, aka “

Oreo/Apu”; Daniel De-Jesús-Díaz, aka “Paleta”; Luis E. Espada-Colón, aka “Zona”; 

and Astrid J. Martínez-Valentin, aka “La Jefa.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort and Victor O. Acevedo-Hernández 

are in charge of the prosecution of the case. They were assisted by Attorney from the 

United States Department of Justice’s Capital Crimes Section and Organized Crime 

and Gang Section. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF),

and Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) were in charge of the investigation. App-

roximately seven-hundred (700) agents from federal and Commonwealth authorities 

participated in the arrests.

If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison. Eighteen (18) of the defendants 

who participated in the murders included in the indictment are eligible for the death 

penalty. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants 

arepresumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.