Mission Viejo : U.S. Indictment Names Alleged Drug Ringleader

A Mission Viejo man believed to be the ringleader of a major cocaine smuggling network was named in a federal indictment, a federal prosecutor said Thursday.

Jesus Antonio Zambrano-Monroy, a Colombian, was among 10 people secretly indicted Aug. 22, said Assistant U.S. Atty. John Gordon in Los Angeles.

The indictments were unsealed Wednesday after one of the suspects, Efrain Ramirez of Queens, N.Y., was arrested in New York.

The indictments culminate a federal investigation that began in November, 1985, with a seizure of 10 kilograms of cocaine in Anaheim and a seizure of 100 kilos in Orange County on Dec. 6, 1985, Gordon said.

Also indicted and not in custody were Hernando Serrano, 41, of Anaheim; his brother, Daniel Serrano, 39, of Laguna Hills, and Nelson Guzman, 32, of Anaheim.

Gordon said the suspects were linked to a cocaine lab that was discovered in Tuolumne County near Yosemite National Park on Sept. 5, 1985.

Those indicted are charged with four counts each of conspiracy to manufacture cocaine, attempting to manufacture cocaine, possession of cocaine and interstate travel in aid of racketeering, Gordon said.