Cuban ‘Marielitos’ Charged in Rock-Cocaine Ring Drug Bust

A yearlong investigation of a San Diego rock cocaine distribution ring allegedly run by Cuban nationals led to the arrests Thursday of eight people charged with narcotics violations in a federal indictment, authorities said.

Six search warrants served simultaneously about 7 a.m. in East and Southeast San Diego and in Spring Valley resulted in the arrests of six Cuban nationals and two U.S. citizens suspected of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and distribution of cocaine base, officials from the U.S. attorney’s office and Narcotics Task Force said Thursday.

Seven other people were charged in the 24-count drug-trafficking indictment, which was announced by U.S. Atty. William Braniff.

Five of them were already in state custody, including suspected ringleader Nelson Mayor Martinez, 27, who was arrested about four months ago, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Michael E. Lasater.

Martinez is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, which carries a minimum prison sentence of 10 years to life and a $4-million fine, and two counts of distribution of cocaine base, each carrying a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five to 40 years and a $2-million fine, Lasater said.

Two others, Heriberto Aballi, 41, and Elacio Hernandez, 51, both Cuban nationals residing in San Diego, are being sought by police.

Lasater said the indictment of the 14 men and one woman, 13 of whom are Cuban nationals boat-lifted from Mariel, Cuba, in 1980, may be “the largest indictment of ‘Marielitos’ at one time.”

Involved in Thursday’s sweep were 60 law enforcement agents from the Narcotics Task Force, a combined force of city, county and federal agencies which headed the one-year investigation; the San Diego Police Department; the Immigration and Naturalization Service; the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau of the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.S. marshal’s office.