HARRISBURG, PA — A woman from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has been convicted for her role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Moniqua Ramirez, 44, was found guilty following a three-day jury trial that concluded on November 15, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Ramirez conspired with others to smuggle kilograms of cocaine into Central Pennsylvania via the U.S. Mail. The narcotics were shipped from Puerto Rico and mailed to various drop locations in Lancaster. The parcels were then retrieved by conspirators for further distribution.
In addition to smuggling cocaine, the group was also involved in street-level drug trafficking, selling heroin and fentanyl to customers. Proceeds from the illicit activities were transported back to Puerto Rico to further the trafficking operation.
Ramirez’s co-conspirators, Ricardo Soto, Jonathan Lopez Arizmendi, Ricky Sanchez, Angel Leon-Rivera, Omar Carmenaty Morales, and Lucas Doel Gonzalez-Alvarado, have all pleaded guilty. Ricardo Soto was sentenced to 46 months in prison on January 19, 2023. The remaining co-conspirators are awaiting sentencing.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Pennsylvania State Police, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Lancaster County Drug Task Force, and the York County Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Consiglio and Christian Haugsby are prosecuting the case.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.