CALIFORNIA — The U.S. Department of Justice announced September 16 the arrest of five defendants in a 10-count superseding indictment. 

They are accused of running a multimillion-dollar drug ring that moved more than 22 tons of cocaine and $100 million in cash between Los Angeles and New York using private air carriers.

Three defendants are set to appear in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York:

• Jamel Donald Levy, 52, of Brooklyn, New York
  
• Bruce Adams, 50, of Bronx, New York
  
• Cindy Rachel Imbert, 33, of Englewood, New Jersey
  

Two others will be arraigned in Los Angeles federal court:

• Nohely Jimenez-Ruiz, 30, of downtown Los Angeles
  
• Lorna Martinez, 42, a.k.a. “Cookie,” also of downtown Los Angele
  

Ringleaders already in custody

Alleged leaders David Rodriguez, 45, of New Jersey, and Raymond O’Connell, 39, of New York, have been in custody since last year. They are charged with operating a criminal enterprise, cocaine trafficking, and money laundering.

According to the indictment, Rodriguez and O’Connell directed cocaine purchases in Los Angeles for East Coast distribution. 

Operating out of a sham jewelry store in downtown Los Angeles, the group shipped cocaine in locked cases to New York’s Diamond District using freight forwarders that normally handle jewelry, precious metals, and art.

The cocaine was redistributed along the East Coast, while drug proceeds were funneled back to Los Angeles, laundered, and circulated within the organization.

Authorities seized drugs, luxury cars and jewelry

Investigators found at least 1,300 parcels moved between Los Angeles and New York. 

More than 800 parcels contained over 22 tons of cocaine, valued at an estimated $315 million wholesale in Los Angeles. About 500 shipments carried more than $105 million in proceeds back west.

Authorities also seized $2.8 million in cash, 725 kilograms of cocaine, and luxury cars and jewelry purchased with drug money.

Two defendants — Daniel Vega, 52, a.k.a. “Nice,” and Gregory Antonio Benitez, 40, a.k.a. “G.”, remain at large.

Ringleaders face life sentences

If convicted, Rodriguez and O’Connell face mandatory life sentences. Cocaine trafficking charges carry 10 years to life, while money laundering counts are punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison.

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