Indictment Charges Five in Heroin Conspiracy

An indictment[1] was returned today charging five Philadelphia men in a drug conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger announced. The 22-count indictment charges Christian Serrano, a/k/a “Wassa”; Edwin Medina, Jr., a/k/a “June”; David Garcia, a/k/a “Mike”; Daniel Cruz-Rivera, a/k/a “Joel”l and Rigerberto Campusano, a/k/a “Driver,” with conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, 16 counts of unlawful use of a communication facility (telephone) in furtherance of a drug trafficking felony, two counts of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The indictment alleges that between June 2008 and July 21, 2011, the defendants conspired to distribute pre-packaged, branded heroin, to other heroin dealers. According to the indictment, Christian Serrano ran the Serrano Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), purchasing heroin from sources in Philadelphia and elsewhere. It is further alleged that Daniel Cruz-Rivera worked for Serrano bagging the heroin and, at Serrano’s direction, used Xylazine, a horse tranquilizer, as an additive to the heroin in order to increase the intoxicating effect. The heroin was packaged in glassine packets bearing the brand names “Boost,” “Game Over,” “Drano Max,” “U2,” “On Fire” and “Nite Life.”

According to the indictment, Rigerberto Campusano delivered the branded heroin, collected cash payments, and was responsible for safeguarding and delivering cash proceeds. Edwin Medina, Jr., allegedly owned and controlled a heroin distribution corner, at Swanson and Somerset Streets, and, with the assistance of David Garcia, kept the corner supplied with pre-packaged “Nite Life” to be sold to heroin customers on the street.

It is charged that Serrano sold and distributed and caused the sale and distribution of the Serrano DTO’s pre-packaged, branded heroin in bundle quantities in amounts ranging from 50 to 100 bundles per selling location per day. The indictment charges that the defendants, at various times, acquired, possessed, carried, stored and used firearms, including semi-automatic pistols and an assault rifle, to protect their drug operations, their residences, themselves and the substantial cash proceeds generated by the drug trafficking organizations’ daily operations. It is further alleged that all of the defendants frequently used cellular telephones to communicate with one another to coordinate, arrange and carry out the drug trafficking organizations’ daily operations, including the conduct of the heroin packaging operation, the delivery of bundled, branded heroin to heroin customers, the collection and safeguarding of proceeds of the organizations’ operations, and the monitoring of law enforcement activity in the areas where the organizations operated. It is also alleged that the defendants regularly replaced their personal cellular telephones in order to attempt to thwart detection of their drug trafficking activities by law enforcement.

Information Regarding the Defendants

Name, Address, Year of Birth

Christian Serrano Philadelphia, PA 1981

Edwin Medina, Jr. Philadelphia, PA 1980

David Garcia Philadelphia, PA 1981

Daniel Cruz-Rivera Philadelphia, PA 1975

Rigerberto Campusano Philadelphia, PA 1977

If convicted, each of the defendants, except for Edwin Medina, Jr., faces a maximum term of life imprisonment, an effective mandatory minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and a multi-million-dollar fine. Medina faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, an effective mandatory minimum term of 25 years’ imprisonment, 10 years of supervised release, and a $21 million fine.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph T. Labrum, III.

1 An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.