Pubdate: Tue, 30 Apr 1999
Source: Associated Press
Copyright: 1999 Associated Press

DRUG RING ARRESTED IN PUERTO RICO

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -  More than 90 agents raided at least six
homes in Puerto Rico Monday to arrest 19 members of an alleged drug
ring accused of  shipping cocaine and heroin between Colombia, the
Caribbean and New York City.

Federal and local police officers raided the homes in San Juan,
Bayamon, Carolina, Aguadilla, Rio Grande and Fajardo. Officials made
simultaneous arrests in New York.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency charged two of the arrestees, Carlos
Soto  del Valle of Carolina and Joaquin Cruz Jimenez of San Juan, with
running the  ring.

Michael S. Vigil, special agent in charge of the agency's Puerto Rican
branch, said the group used boats, airplanes and couriers who
swallowed or concealed packages of the drugs to bring them through St.
Martin and Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory.

The ring also operated distribution points in the western Puerto Rican
city of Aguadilla and in San Juan, Vigil said. He said half of the
drugs stayed in  Puerto Rico and the rest went on to New York.

Members of the ring were charged with conspiracy and possession with
intent to distribute large amounts of drugs.

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