Federal authorities have charged 81 members of the Puerto Rican gang Los Baja Deo (LBD) with drug trafficking and firearms offenses following a multiyear investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Thursday. The FBI and Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) arrested 70 of the defendants on Wednesday, marking the latest enforcement action against the group accused of operating across 23 public housing projects in Mayagüez and surrounding areas.
Key developments in the case:
- The indictments allege LBD distributed at least 340 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics and 2,200 kilograms of cocaine, generating more than $49 million in proceeds.
- 21 defendants face additional charges for illegal firearms possession, with prosecutors alleging the group used violence, including shootings and kidnappings, to protect its operations.
- The Justice Department seeks forfeiture of $49.7 million in alleged proceeds and has warned that the investigation remains ongoing.
Immediate enforcement and legal consequences
Federal prosecutors allege LBD maintained drug distribution points in and around public housing projects in Mayagüez, including Sábalo Gardens, Cuesta Las Piedras, and Jardines de Concordia, as well as nearby neighborhoods. The indictment describes coordination via two-way radios, cell phones, instant messaging, and social media, with some shipments sent to the U.S. mainland via the U.S. Postal Service.
If convicted, defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years for drug trafficking charges, 15 years if firearms offenses are also proven, and potential life imprisonment in either case. Among those charged are José Onairam Medina-Marrero (also known as “La O”), Ulises Irizarry-Santiago (“Viejo”), Ramón Miguel Rodríguez-Pacheco (“Piti”), and Elizabeth Díaz-Fábregas (“La Patrona”).
Official statements and enforcement rationale
Attorney General Todd Blanche called the takedown a “great example” of federal efforts to combat violent crime and drug trafficking, emphasizing the Homeland Security Task Force’s role in the investigation. Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó for the District of Puerto Rico stated that the operation aimed to “ensure communities can peacefully enjoy their surroundings without fear.”
The enforcement action aligns with the Trump administration’s stated priorities to address cartels, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations, with Blanche highlighting the $49 million in alleged proceeds and the distribution of fentanyl, described as a “highly addictive and potentially lethal substance.”
Background and scope of the investigation
The FBI and PRPD began investigating LBD in 2021, with authorities alleging the group’s operations spanned multiple neighborhoods in western Puerto Rico. Prosecutors claim LBD used violence to protect its drug trade, including shootings, kidnappings, and murders, particularly when the organization perceived threats to its operations.
The indictment also details the group’s alleged logistics, including coordinated sales through digital platforms and shipments to the mainland. Authorities seized 21 firearms during the arrests, though the DOJ has not specified whether additional weapons remain unaccounted for.
Ongoing investigation and potential future actions
Blanche stated that the investigation is not concluded, warning that “additional co-conspirators” may still face charges. The DOJ’s announcement follows a broader federal push to target violent gangs and drug trafficking organizations, with officials framing the case as part of a coordinated effort across U.S. Homeland Security Task Forces.