Cocaine and $100M Cash Smuggled from LA to NYC on Luxury Flights, Feds Say

Major Drug Trafficking Operation Unraveled

A significant cross-country drug trafficking operation has been dismantled, leading to the arrest of five individuals involved in a large-scale cocaine distribution network. The operation, which spanned from Los Angeles to New York, is believed to have moved approximately 22 tons of cocaine and over $100 million in cash, according to officials with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The alleged ringleaders of the organization, David Rodriguez, 45, known as “Gotti” and “Fat Boy,” from Dumont, New Jersey, and Raymond O’Connell, 39, known as “Sal” and “White Boy,” from Manhattan, have been in custody since 2024. Prosecutors claim that these two were responsible for acquiring and shipping large quantities of cocaine stored at an office disguised as a jewelry store in the California Jewelry Mart in downtown Los Angeles.

Cocaine was reportedly transported in locked plastic cases hidden within New York City’s Diamond District. The operation used high-value freight forwarding companies that specialize in shipping jewelry, precious metals, and fine art, making it difficult for law enforcement to detect the illicit cargo.

Once the drugs reached the East Coast, Rodriguez and O’Connell allegedly distributed them to co-conspirators, who then funneled the proceeds back to Los Angeles. There, other members of the organization engaged in money laundering activities.

According to investigators, more than 800 parcels of cocaine were shipped from Los Angeles to New York, totaling an estimated 22 tons with a street value of $315 million. Additionally, over 500 parcels were sent from New York to Los Angeles, valued at around $105 million.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized more than $2.8 million in cash, nearly 725 kilograms (about 1,600 pounds) of cocaine, and high-end vehicles and jewelry purchased using drug proceeds.

Another defendant in the case, Ronnell Sweat, 47, a New York City resident, pleaded guilty to federal firearm charges in 2024 and is currently serving a 15-year sentence in federal prison.

On Tuesday, five additional arrests were made in connection with the drug trafficking organization. These include:

• Jamel Donald Levy, 52, a Brooklyn resident
• Bruce Adams, 50, a Bronx resident
• Cindy Rachel Imbert, 33, an Englewood, New Jersey, resident
• Nohely Jimenez, 30, a downtown Los Angeles resident
• Lorna “Cookie” Martinez, 42, a downtown Los Angeles resident

All three defendants from the East Coast appeared in court on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, while the two Los Angeles-based defendants are scheduled to appear in Los Angeles federal court on Wednesday.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges against the five individuals arrested on Tuesday. However, Rodriguez and O’Connell face serious federal charges, including:

• Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise
• Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine
• Four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine
• Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and money laundering

If convicted, Rodriguez and O’Connell could face life in federal prison. The cocaine distribution charges carry a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of life imprisonment. The money laundering-related charges could result in up to 20 years in prison.

Investigators are still searching for two other defendants charged in the superseding indictment: Daniel “Nice” Vega, 52, and Gregory “G” Antonio Benitez, 40, both residents of New York City.