5 Arrests in 2 States Smash Cocaine Ring

A major cocaine smuggling ring with outlets throughout Southern California has been dismantled with the arrests of five Colombian nationals in two states and the seizure of $1.5 million from a Bellflower residence, federal authorities announced Friday.

The arrests culminated a one-year investigation into an organization that had been a major supplier of cocaine to wholesalers in Los Angeles and Orange counties, according to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents in Los Angeles.

“They’ve been operating at least a year that we’re aware of, probably longer than that to be this sophisticated,” DEA spokesman Roger Guevara said. “This is certainly in the higher echelon of cocaine rings.”

Arrested in Bellflower were Herman Grisales, 34, and Jaime Santa Maria, 33. Federal agents seized about $1.5 million in cash and a 9-millimeter pistol at the Park Street residence where the two were arrested, Guevara said.

Alleged Leader Arrested

Federal agents in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Wednesday arrested the alleged leader of the trafficking ring, Jaime Bermudez Botero, who is believed to be responsible for trying to smuggle at least 4,400 pounds of cocaine to Southern California.

Bermudez was being treated for a gunshot wound he suffered while struggling with a federal agent during his arrest. Also arrested in Florida were Luis Fernando Leyva and Juan Manuel Gonzales.

The arrests followed an undercover investigation in which federal agents posed as major cocaine traffickers capable of large purchases, Guevara said. Federal agents also seized 1,262 pounds of cocaine from a plane believed connected with the ring that landed at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport on a flight from Colombia, officials said.

Grisales and Santa Maria were arraigned on narcotics charges before U.S. Magistrate James Penne in Los Angeles on Thursday and ordered held without bail pending a hearing next week.