FLORIDA — Twelve defendants, including multiple Florida residents, have been indicted for their alleged involvement in drug trafficking across Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
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According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida (USAO), the charges focus on methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution, with some of the accused reportedly linked to international criminal gangs such as MS-13, Sur-13, and the Mexican Mafia.
The indictment names several Florida suspects, including Luis Portillo, also known as “Shadow,” 35, of Miami, Rafael Gutierrez, also known as “Rafy,” 28, of Miami, Jose Hernandez, also known as “Blue Demon,” 39, of Belle Glade, Malinda Martinez, 42, of Fort Myers, Karina Martinez-Vazquez, 34, of Miami, and Loupe Loredo, also known as “L3g3nd,” 39, of Lake Wales.
The USAO said the defendants are charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
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Portillo, Gutierrez, Martinez-Vazquez, Hernandez, and Loredo also face additional charges for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Hugo Cruz, 33, of LaBelle, is also facing similar charges.
The suspects reportedly worked together, along with their co-defendants, to traffic dangerous drugs in the Southern District of Florida.
According to the indictment, several defendants, including Mr Portillo, Mr Gutierrez, and Ms Martinez-Vazquez, are also charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl, a substance linked to a rising number of overdose deaths in Florida.
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The arrests began on Sept. 12, and the defendants have since appeared in federal court.
If convicted, each defendant could face life imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement alongside Anthony Salisbury, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Miami Field Office, Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Gregory Tony, Sheriff of the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
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The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bertila Fernandez. The investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation that targets high-level drug traffickers and criminal organizations.
An indictment contains allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
