18 accused in billion-dollar Puerto Rico drug ring
Businessmen and lawyers are among 18 suspects facing drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges.
SAN JUAN (AP) Federal authorities in Puerto Rico say they have dismantled a ring that imported drugs from South America and used part of the billion-dollar proceeds in construction.
U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodriguez said Tuesday that businessmen and lawyers are among the 18 suspects facing drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges.
The Drug Enforcement Administration said the suspected leader of the group had been arrested in 2011 and ran the organization from prison. He is currently serving a 20-year sentence.
Rodriguez said the group is suspected of transporting large amounts of cocaine and heroin from South America to Puerto Rico since at least 2008. They are accused of using the nearby island of Vieques as the main entry point.
