TAMPA, Fla. — Twelve people are facing federal charges in Tampa, accused of being involved in a massive, violent drug dealing operation across central Florida.
U.S. Attorney Rodger Handberg was joined by investigators and agents from Kissimmee Police Department, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, DEA, IRS, DHS and the U.S. Postal Service to announce four indictments including 29 counts against the group ranging from murder, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and more.
"Its members engage in acts of violence and murder. They possess and use firearms and launder drug proceeds and engage in fraud, but not any longer,” Handberg said. “The defendants charged in this case include members at every level of the alleged conspiracy.”
Handberg says Carlos Limery Dones, 46 of Puerto Rico headed the group.
"He held himself out to be a legitimate businessman, holding various titles,” Handberg explained. “All those titles were nothing more than a front for what he really was, a significant drug trafficker.”
Handberg says detectives seized 150 kilos of cocaine and 600 grams of fentanyl from the group through undercover buys and from packages addressed to homes in Kissimmee beginning in 2020.
Investigators say Limery and his associates used the money to fund lavish lifestyles, buy luxury cars, cosmetic surgery and buy homes in Osceola and Polk Counties.
“They purchase homes through deceit and fraud, making them unavailable to hardworking Americans,” Handberg added.
At the same time, Handberg says Limery and a co-defendant defrauded the federal COVID loan program, receiving money for nonexistent businesses. They’re also accused of violently protecting their terrority and killing a rival drug dealer. Roberto Rodriguez Almadovar is accused of shooting the gun in an execution-style killing that took place in 2021.
“The goal of these comprehensive charges is to dismantle Limery’s organization once and for all, so that it no longer exists,” Handberg said. “The law enforcement agencies who work
- Limery Dones is now charged with drug trafficking conspiracy, money laundering, bank fraud, wire fraud and COVID-related fraud.
- Santos Cruz River is charged with drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution of controlled substances, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, maintaining drug premises, possessing a firearm while a convicted felon and money laundering conspiracy.
- Nelson Franco is charged with drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution of controlled substances, and money laundering conspiracy.
- Rebel Rivera Carbonell is charged with drug trafficking conspiracy, maintaining drug premises, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
- Madelyn Sanchez is charged with drug trafficking conspiracy and maintaining a drug house.
- Roberto Rodriguez Almodovar is charged with drug trafficking conspiracy and committing murder in furtherance of drug trafficking.
- Luis Torres Sanchez is charged with drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution of controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
- Johnson Rivera Martinez is charged with drug trafficking conspiracy and distribution of controlled substances
- Yesenia Laracuente is charged with money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy.
- Nancy Contreras is charged with money laundering conspiracy.
- Carol Flores Morales is charged with money laundering conspiracy.
- Wilmary Sepulveda is charged with wire fraud conspiracy.
If convicted all the defendants face at least 20 years in prison; Limery Dones, Rivera, Franco, Carbonell, Sanchez, Sanchez and Martinez face life in prison. Almadover faces a maximum sentence of death.