Former Añasco mayor’s son, who allegedly led crime outfit, could face death penalty.

W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, announced that Manuel Antonio “Nano El Viejo” Valentín Vega has been charged by federal authorities, along with five other individuals, with 23 counts related to organized crime, murder, drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms violations.

By THE STAR STAFF

Manuel Antonio “Nano El Viejo” Valentín Vega -- son of former Añasco Mayor Antonio Valentín Vega and owner of the business Centro Agrícola El Rancho -- has been charged by federal authorities, along with five other individuals, with 23 counts related to organized crime, murder, drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms violations.

The crimes were allegedly committed in support of a transnational criminal organization based in Añasco, which operated a large-scale drug trafficking network coordinated with suppliers in Venezuela, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, announced William Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, on Tuesday.

“On April 15, 2020, Manuel Antonio Valentín Vega was kidnapped by rival drug traffickers who demanded money in exchange for his release,” Muldrow stated during a press conference. “Valentín Vega was ultimately released by his captors. Subsequently, he attempted to murder those he held responsible for the kidnapping.” 

As a consequence, on May 21, 2020, Freddy “Baby Boy” Charón Valentín -- one of the individuals allegedly responsible for the kidnapping -- was inside a vehicle that was fired upon by two assailants, resulting in the slayings of 31-year-old Yesenia Henríquez Rivera and her eight-year-old daughter, Roseliam Torres Henríquez. Charón Valentín survived the incident. Kevin Hernández Ruiz and Julio Aragonés Fred were charged in connection with the events. It is alleged that, once Aragonés Fred began cooperating with authorities, Valentín Vega put out a contract for his murder.

Valentín Vega is also charged with the murders of other members of his own organization, as well as rival figures.

Rebecca González-Ramos, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), said at the press conference that “during today’s raids [on Valentín Vega’s property], “10 firearms, 23 vehicles [including “a collection of high-value vintage automobiles”], and one kilogram of cocaine were seized.”

“It must be emphasized that this criminal enterprise operated in an organized manner with the aim of profiting from the sale of controlled substances imported into Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Colombia,” González-Ramos said. “It is a criminal enterprise dedicated to shielding its members from criminal prosecution by murdering witnesses -- an enterprise focused on eliminating any threat that arises, without any regard for human life.”

According to the federal indictment, the defendants were members of a transnational criminal organization based in Añasco known as “La Empresa.” Federal authorities allege that the organization coordinated cocaine shipments from the aforementioned countries to Puerto Rico via vessels, to subsequently ship the drugs to the continental United States.

The indictment alleges that the proceeds were used to purchase weapons, ammunition, real estate, motor vehicles, and vessels, as well as to rent properties for storing controlled substances.

The indictment also includes forfeiture allegations regarding assets linked to drug trafficking and organized crime, including vessels and properties in Aguada, Añasco and Cabo Rojo.

Among the items listed are a 2002 Viking 55-foot vessel named “Game Changer” and a 2020 Boston Whaler 38-foot vessel named “Kay.”

The other defendants are Rafael Ángel “Pito Rancho” Ruiz Garcés, César “Waldy” Carrero Martínez, Jonathan “Tan” Hernández Ruiz, Luis “Luijo” Irizarry Zapata and Luis “Nino” Rivera Quiñones.

If found guilty, the defendants face up to life imprisonment. Valentín Vega and Irizarry Zapata could face the death penalty.