A federal grand jury has issued a superseding indictment on September 25, 2025, charging 14 members of a transnational criminal organization operating out of the municipality of Camuy, Puerto Rico, with a sprawling list of federal crimes including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, firearms violations, and money laundering.
W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, made the announcement.
The organization, known as “La V” or the “Lopez-Vargas Drug Trafficking Organization,” was allegedly led by Emilio Lopez-Vargas (also known as “Macanita” and “La M”) and is accused of running a continuing criminal enterprise from 2021 through September 2025.
The indictment details a sophisticated operation responsible for the importation and distribution of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine for substantial profit, often in coordination with sources of supply in the Dominican Republic.
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Smuggling and Distribution Network
According to the superseding indictment, La V utilized boats with hidden compartments to smuggle multi-kilogram shipments of cocaine from the Dominican Republic into Puerto Rico. Once ashore, portions of the drugs were distributed locally, while others were shipped to the continental United States using a global logistics company and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
The organization allegedly corrupted employees of both the USPS and a global logistics company to protect the drug shipments. One defendant, Axel Manuel Cardec-Lugo (an employee of a global logistics company), is accused of providing information about shipments and acting as a courier in the transportation of approximately 203 kilograms of cocaine.
In the continental U.S., members allegedly cut the cocaine with adulterants to increase volume and profit. The drug proceeds were then laundered back to Puerto Rico, often transported via commercial flights with large sums of cash hidden in suitcases. The group is also accused of transporting firearms from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic via vessels, generating additional income. Fentanyl was also allegedly stored, packaged, and distributed by the group in residences throughout Puerto Rico.
Enforcement Agencies and Fugitives
The extensive investigation was led by a coordinated task force of federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the FBI, the DEA, the USPS Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
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“One of our top priorities continues to be the disruption and dismantling of violent drug trafficking organizations, at every level,” stated U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “The result of this joint operation… shows our commitment to making our communities safer.”
Rebecca González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Juan, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the focus on “identifying criminal networks that fuel violence, destabilize neighborhoods, and prey on our children and families.”
Of the 14 defendants, Victor Hernandez (also known as “El Indio”) and Yamil González-Vargas (also known as “Yamo”) remain at large and are considered fugitives. Authorities are urging the public to contact HSI’s San Juan communication center at (787) 729-6969 or the HSI Tip Line at (866) 347-2423 with any information regarding their whereabouts.
Penalties and Forfeiture
The superseding indictment charges all 14 defendants with the drug trafficking conspiracy, which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison upon conviction. Nine defendants also face charges for conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a sentence of 30 years to life in prison, consecutive to any drug charges.
The government is also seeking a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $11,000,000 against all defendants. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative targeting transnational criminal organizations.
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