September 23, 09

NEWS / DEA Busts Puerto Ricos Top Drug Trafficker

Angel Ayala-Vazquez alias "El Buster" identified as the head of the largest drug trafficking organization in Puerto Rico

SEP 22, 2009 -- (SAN JUAN, P.R). - Angel Ayala-Vazquez,. a.k.a “El Buster” a.k.a “Angelo Millones” identified as the head of the largest drug trafficking organization in Puerto Rico, was arrested by DEA, FBI and PRPD last Friday, September 18, 2009. Ayala-Vazquez has been the principal leader of an organization responsible for the importation of thousands of kilograms of narcotics to Puerto Rico, the transshipment of narcotics from Puerto Rico to the continental United States, the distribution of kilogram quantities of narcotics to other drug trafficking organizations operating in Puerto Rico and the street level distribution of narcotics within several public housing projects in Puerto Rico. Ayala-Vazquez is charged in a Complaint authorized by U.S. Magistrate Judge Justo Arenas, with violations of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 846 and 860.

"DEA dealt a hard blow to drug trafficking in Puerto Rico with the arrest of Angel Ayala-Vazquez" said Javier F. Peña, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Caribbean Division."DEA is not intimidated by power, money or threats. The higher you are in the drug trafficking business, the harder you will fall. Nobody is above the law."

The Affidavit submitted in support of the Complaint states that Ayala-Vazquez drug trafficking organization is the largest drug trafficking organization operating in Puerto Rico. It is further alleged that Ayala Vazquez organization supplies narcotics to different drug trafficking organizations operating throughout the island, specifically the Jose Celso Barbosa Public Housing Project in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the location in which the organization originated.

It is further alleged that, from approximately 1995 to the present, Ayala Vazquez, has been the principal leader of this organization. He and other members of the organization are responsible for the importation of thousands of kilograms of narcotics to Puerto Rico, the transshipment of narcotics from Puerto Rico to the continental United States, the distribution of kilogram quantities of narcotics to other drug trafficking organizations operating in Puerto Rico, and the street level distribution of the same within the Jose Celso Barbosa and Sierra Linda Public Housing Projects located in Bayamon. Ayala Vazquez and members of his drug trafficking organization have used violence in order to maintain control of their drug trafficking activities. Ayala Vazquez has allowed other members of the drug trafficking organization to control the street level sale of the narcotics within other public housing projects and throughout the district of Puerto Rico, so long as the narcotics are purchased from him.

The Complaint charges that Ayala-Vazquez knowingly and intentionally, combined, conspired, and agreed with diverse persons known and unknown to possess with intent to distribute and/or to distribute controlled substances, to wit: in excess of one (1) kilogram of heroin, a Schedule I, Narcotic Drug Controlled Substance; and/or in excess of fifty (50) grams of cocaine base, a Schedule II Narcotic Drug Controlled Substance; and/or in excess of five (5) kilograms of cocaine, a Schedule II, Narcotic Drug Controlled Substance; and a detectable amount of marijuana, a Schedule I, Controlled Substance; and/or detectable amounts of Oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet), a Schedule IV Controlled Substance; within 1,000 feet of a housing facility owned by a public housing authority, that is, the Jose Celso Barbosa and Sierra Linda Public Housing Projects in Bayamon, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, §§ 841(a)(1), 846 and 860.

“The arrest of Ayala-Vazquez marks a significant victory in our war against drug traffickers, in Puerto Rico and the continental United States. To the law enforcement agents and prosecutors who tirelessly worked night and day for this moment, I extend our deepest appreciation and respect, for Puerto Rico is a safer place today” said United States Attorney Rosa E. Rodriguez-Velez.

The investigation was part of the joint efforts of the Bayamon Strike Force Team led by Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico and coordinated by SAUSA Guillermo Gil-Bonar; working in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Police of Puerto Rico, and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice.

Penalties for the narcotics offenses alleged in the Complaint range from ten (10) years to life imprisonment, and fines of up to four million dollars ($4,000,000.00). The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being prosecuted by Bayamon Strike Force, Assistant United States Attorney Olga Castellón, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Henwood, under the supervision of Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Guillermo Gil-Bonar. The investigation into Ayala-Vazquez drug trafficking organization is ongoing.

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/2009/carib092209.html