12 people charged in massive federal drug raid

TAMPA, Fla. – Twelve people in Tampa are facing federal charges alleging they were involved in a massive, violent drug trafficking operation in Central Florida.

Along with investigators and agents from the Kissimmee Police Department, Osceola County Sheriff's Office, ATF, DEA, IRS, DHS and the U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Attorney Rodger Handberg announced four indictments, including 29 counts against the group, including murder, conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and more.

“Its members are involved in acts of violence and murder. They possess and use firearms, launder drug money and commit fraud, but that is over,” Handberg said. “The defendants in this case include members at all levels of the alleged conspiracy.”

Handberg says 46-year-old Carlos Limery Dones of Puerto Rico led the group.

“He posed as a serious businessman and held various titles,” explained Handberg. “All of these titles were nothing more than a cover for what he really was: a major drug trafficker.”

Handberg says that beginning in 2020, investigators seized 150 kilos of cocaine and 600 grams of fentanyl from the group in undercover buys and in packages addressed to private homes in Kissimmee.

According to investigators, Limery and his accomplices used the money to finance a lavish lifestyle, buying luxury cars, undergoing cosmetic surgery and purchasing homes in Osceola and Polk counties.

“They acquire homes through fraud and deceit, making them inaccessible to hard-working Americans,” Handberg added.

At the same time, Handberg claims Limery and a co-defendant defrauded the federal COVID loan program and received money for nonexistent businesses. They are also accused of violently defending their terrorist group and killing a rival drug dealer. Roberto Rodriguez Almadovar is accused of firing the gun in a 2021 execution-style killing.

“The goal of these comprehensive indictments is to dismantle Limery's organization once and for all, so that it no longer exists,” said Handberg. “The law enforcement agencies that are working

• Limery Dones is now charged with conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, money laundering, bank fraud, wire fraud and COVID-related fraud.
• Santos Cruz River is charged with conspiracy to traffic in drugs, distribution of controlled substances, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, maintaining a drug premises, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
• Nelson Franco is accused of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, distribution of controlled substances and money laundering.
• The rebel Rivera Carbonell is accused of conspiracy to traffic drugs, operating drug establishments and possession of cocaine with the intent to resell it.
• Madelyn Sanchez is accused of conspiracy to traffic drugs and operating a drug house.
• Roberto Rodriguez Almodovar is accused of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking and murder in furtherance of drug trafficking.
• Luis Torres Sanchez is charged with conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, distribution of controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
• Johnson Rivera Martinez is charged with conspiracy to traffic in drugs and distribution of controlled substances
• Yesenia Laracuente is accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering and wire fraud.
• Nancy Contreras is accused of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
• Carol Flores Morales is accused of conspiracy to launder money.
• Wilmary Sepulveda is accused of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

If convicted, all defendants face a minimum of 20 years in prison; Limery Dones, Rivera, Franco, Carbonell, Sanchez, Sanchez and Martinez face life imprisonment. Almadover faces the maximum penalty of death.