Philadelphia man indicted for possession of 28 kilograms of cocaine
PHILADEPHIA — A Philadelphia man was charged in a one-count indictment unsealed Wednesday with possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations with support from the Philadelphia Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, the Delaware State Police and the Philadelphia Police Department.
Philadelphia’s HSI-led Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) headed the investigation into Luis A. Perez-Santiago, 38, who, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, at least five years supervised release, a fine of $10,000,000 and a $100 special assessment.
“This investigation is a culmination of an extensive joint law enforcement effort to dismantle criminal enterprises and to prevent and deter criminal organizations from pushing drugs into our communities,” said Marlon V. Miller, special agent in charge of HSI Philadelphia. “The safety of our communities is one of HSI’s top priorities. HSI and our state, federal, and local law enforcement partners pool information and resources to target drug smuggling and related criminal elements.”
An indictment is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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