UPDATE: Five individuals have been arrested in connection with a massive drug trafficking operation that allegedly funneled approximately 22 tons of cocaine and over $100 million in cash between Los Angeles and New York City. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced these developments just moments ago, confirming the involvement of key players in a sprawling network that utilized luxury freight services.
Authorities revealed that the alleged ringleaders, David Rodriguez, 45, from Dumont, New Jersey, and Raymond O’Connell, 39, from Manhattan, have been in custody since 2024. They are accused of orchestrating the transport of cocaine, which was stored in a front business disguised as a jewelry store in downtown L.A. This cocaine was shipped to NYC’s Diamond District using specialized freight companies known for handling high-value items.
The DOJ states that more than 800 parcels of cocaine were shipped from L.A. to New York, carrying an estimated street value of $315 million. Concurrently, over 500 parcels were sent back to L.A., valued at around $105 million. This operation highlights an alarming trend in drug trafficking methods, employing luxury shipping firms to evade law enforcement scrutiny.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than $2.8 million in cash and over 725 kilograms (nearly 1,600 pounds) of cocaine, along with high-end vehicles and jewelry purchased with the drug proceeds. The scale of these operations reveals the extensive resources at the disposal of this trafficking organization.
In addition to Rodriguez and O’Connell, other arrests made on September 16 include Ronnell Sweat, 47, currently serving a 15-year sentence for firearm charges, and three additional defendants: Jamel Donald Levy, 52, Bruce Adams, 50, and Cindy Rachel Imbert, 33. The East Coast defendants made their initial court appearances today in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, while the two from L.A. are set to appear in federal court on Wednesday.
Rodriguez and O’Connell face serious charges, including engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. If convicted, they could face mandatory life sentences. The cocaine distribution charges alone carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, with a maximum of life imprisonment. The money laundering charges could result in up to 20 years in prison.
Investigators are actively searching for two other defendants named in the indictment: Daniel “Nice” Vega, 52, and Gregory “G” Antonio Benitez, 40, both from New York City.
This urgent case underscores the escalating battle against drug trafficking in the U.S., with law enforcement committed to dismantling these dangerous networks. As this story develops, further details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the full extent of this alarming operation.
