Puerto Rico resident sentenced in connection with drug trafficking operation from Puerto Rico to Valley area
The Department of Justice for the Western District of Pennsylvania released a statement December 4 stating that another member has been sentenced for involvement in the 17-person drug trafficking operation to bring drugs from Puerto Rico to the Valley area.
Barceloneta, Puerto Rico resident Antonio Bernacett Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for violating racketeering and federal narcotics laws.
According to information presented to the court, Rodriguez was a leading member of the operation.
Rodriguez was responsible for obtaining and shipping betwen five and 15 kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Pennsylvania in 2023 and early 2024.
In January 2024, Rodriguez also travelled from Puerto Rico to Philadelphia and Youngstown to receive drug proceeds from other members of the organization.
More information about the details of this organization can be found in related coverage from 21 News: