HARRISBURG, PA – Moniqua Ramirez, 44, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine after a three-day jury trial, as announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The trial, presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson, concluded on November 15, 2023.
United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam revealed that Ramirez was involved in a scheme to smuggle kilograms of cocaine into Central Pennsylvania. The operation involved shipping cocaine from Puerto Rico to Lancaster via the U.S. Mail, using various drop locations. The parcels were then retrieved by conspirators, including Ramirez, for further distribution. The group was also involved in street-level drug trafficking, distributing heroin and fentanyl to local customers. Additionally, they transported cash proceeds back to Puerto Rico to fund their trafficking activities.
Ramirez’s coconspirators, including Ricardo Soto, Jonathan Lopez Arizmendi, Ricky Sanchez, Angel Leon-Rivera, Omar Carmenaty Morales, and Lucas Doel Gonzalez-Alvarado, have pleaded guilty in connection with the same conspiracy. Ricardo Soto has already been sentenced to 46 months in prison on January 19, 2023. The other coconspirators, Arizmendi, Sanchez, Leon-Rivera, Morales, and Gonzalez-Alvarado, are currently awaiting sentencing.