A sprawling two-year federal investigation has resulted in the indictment of 13 individuals accused of operating a major drug trafficking ring that stretched from California to Pennsylvania.
First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the charges today, revealing a seven-count indictment that targets suspects across five different states—Pennsylvania, California, New York, Florida, and New Mexico.
The operation allegedly moved significant quantities of cocaine across the country and utilized a complex network to launder money and enforce their operations with firearms.
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According to court documents, the conspiracy ran from January 2023 through April 2024. Prosecutors allege the group conspired to possess and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The defendants named in the indictment include:
- Pennsylvania: Andres Flores-Cedeno (39), Aaron Mitchell (48), Raymond Simmons (54), and Toriano Wilson (46).
- California: Marcos Francisco-Tomas (34), Eric Vega (38), Manuel Rivera (43), Fernando Gonzalez-Gonzalez (24), and Julio Flores (23).
- New York: Feng Ruan (35) and Maoxuan Xia (30).
- Florida: Jhon Canizales-Soto (32).
- New Mexico: Michael Johnson (63).
The indictment outlines specific dates where large shipments were allegedly moved. Authorities claim that on August 30, 2023, Rivera possessed over five kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute, while Francisco-Tomas and Flores-Cedeno were caught with similar quantities in February 2024.
Beyond the drugs, the charges delve into the financial and logistical side of the operation. Feng Ruan is accused of handling transactions involving illicit proceeds, while several other defendants allegedly engaged in interstate travel specifically to aid racketeering efforts. Aaron Mitchell faces an additional charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on October 5, 2023.
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Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine C. Jordan is handling the prosecution and is part of a broader crackdown under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF).
This initiative was established by Executive Order 14159, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which directs federal agencies to aggressively dismantle transnational criminal organizations and cartels operating within U.S. borders.
If convicted, the penalties are severe. The defendants facing the primary drug conspiracy charges could see sentences ranging from a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to life in prison, along with fines reaching $10 million.
Ruan, Xia, and Canizales-Soto face maximum sentences between five and ten years for their alleged roles in money laundering and racketeering travel.
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