Operation Wild Surf nets 13 arrests for drug trafficking

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, working jointly with Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) officers in an operation dubbed Wild Surf, arrested 13 alleged members of a drug trafficking organization responsible for the importation of multi-kilograms of cocaine into the United States Wednesday in Aguadilla and San Sebastian, Puerto Rico.

According to the indictment, from April 2008 through November 2011, Efrain Rodríguez Jiménez, aka Chino; Francis Román-Tavárez, aka Fanfi; Luis Tosado-Rodríguez, aka Tony; Janei Paez-Herrera, aka El Viejo; Santos Mejas-Luciano, aka Guelo; Flores Yarok Rios-Rosa, aka Yarok; Christian Alvarez-Arroyo; Joel Badillo-Morales, aka Joel El Gordo; Josué Morales-Sanabria, aka Muni; Anthony Arroyo-González, aka Sangre; Manuel Badillo-Román, aka Guimo, Jorge Carrero-Moreno, aka Ito; Roberto Rivera-Pérez, aka Robertito; and José Edgardo Rosa-Soto, aka Edgar, did knowingly and intentionally conspire to import and attempt to import cocaine and heroin into the United States.

The indictment specifically mentions five occasions in which some of the defendants, aiding and abetting each other, imported kilograms of cocaine into Puerto Rico. They are also facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation which includes two properties in the municipality of Aguadilla and one in Isabela, Puerto Rico.

Of those indicted, Francis Román-Tavárez remains at large.

Those arrested face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected weapons and narcotics smuggling and related information by calling at 1-866-DHS-2ICE.