https://nypost.com/2024/05/05/lifestyle/how-one-man-survived-life-as-a-boston-gangster/

Purported Member Of The Cartier Family And Five Colombian Nationals Charged For Their Roles In International Money Laundering And Narcotics Conspiracies
Thursday, May 2, 2024
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”); and Kareem A. Carter, the Executive Special Agent in Charge of the Washington, D.C. Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), announced the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging MAXIMILIEN DE HOOP CARTIER, LEONARDO DE JESUS ZULUAGA DUQUE, a/k/a “Rey,” ERICA MILENA LOPEZ ORTIZ, and FELIPE ESTRADA ECHEVERRY, a/k/a “Pepe,” with conspiring to commit money laundering based on their alleged participation in a network that laundered millions in Tether (a stablecoin connected to the U.S. dollar), which constituted the proceeds of drug trafficking, through the U.S. to Colombia. CARTIER is also charged with money laundering, bank fraud, engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from bank fraud, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business based on CARTIER’s system of U.S.-based shell companies and bank accounts that he used to operate an unlicensed over-the-counter cryptocurrency exchange. In addition, the Superseding Indictment charges ZULUAGA DUQUE, LOPEZ ORTIZ, ALEXANDER EGIDIO AREIZA CEBALLOS, and ADRIAN FERNANDO AREIZA CEBALLOS with conspiring to import more than 100 kilograms of cocaine into the U.S.

CARTIER, who purports to be a direct descendant of the Cartier family known for luxury jewelry, was arrested on February 22, 2024, in Miami, Florida, and presented before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Florida. ZULUAGA DUQUE, LOPEZ ORTIZ, ESTRADA ECHEVERRY, ALEXANDER AREIZA CEBALLOS, and ADRIAN AREIZA CEBALLOS, all Colombian nationals, were taken into custody by Colombian authorities on April 30, 2024. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The charges brought today demonstrate this Office’s commitment to prosecuting international drug traffickers and piercing complicated money laundering networks seeking to exploit the U.S financial system. As alleged, Maximilien de Hoop Cartier, Leonardo de Jesus Zuluage Duque, Erica Milena Lopez Ortiz, and Felipe Estrada Echeverry were members of a network that laundered millions of dollars’ worth of drug trafficking proceeds using cryptocurrency and the U.S. financial system. Cartier is additionally alleged to have committed a series of financial offenses while working with this money laundering network that resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of unlawful transactions. I commend the efforts of our law enforcements partners and the career prosecutors from this Office who work tirelessly to investigate and disrupt these money laundering and drug trafficking networks. We will continue to relentlessly protect the U.S. financial system from exploitation.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “Maximilien de Hoop Cartier and five Colombian nationals allegedly attempted to import more than 100 kilograms of cocaine and laundered hundreds of millions of dollars – including revenue from drug trafficking operations – through an unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange to transfer illicit funds from the United States to Colombia. This alleged scheme illustrates advancements in criminals’ use of complex financial methods to conceal their profits and other nefarious activity from law enforcement. The FBI is committed to dismantling international criminal enterprises by disrupting the flow of illegal money and narcotics across our borders.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said: “Today’s announcement serves as a reminder that criminals do not fit a certain mold. While Maximilien de Hoop Cartier represents himself as a member of a family associated with wealth and luxury, he stands accused of executing a bank fraud scheme where hundreds of millions in criminal funds were laundered. Both here and in Colombia, he and his co-conspirators allegedly laundered drug-trafficking proceeds to the tune of over $14 million. I commend HSI New York’s El Dorado Task Force and our law enforcement partners for relentlessly pursuing suspected criminals regardless of their names or whereabouts.”

IRS-CI Executive Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter said: “IRS Criminal Investigation is proud to have provided its financial expertise in this investigation. CI and our law enforcement partners are committed to aggressively investigating individuals who engage in money laundering, tax fraud, and other financial crimes.”

According to the allegations contained in the Superseding Indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:[1]

CARTIER, ZULUAGA DUQUE, LOPEZ ORTIZ, and ESTRADA ECHEVERRY are members of a money laundering network that operates in the U.S. and Colombia, among other countries (the “Network”). The Network utilizes a system of money laundering brokers and shell companies in the U.S., Colombia, and elsewhere to, among other things, launder crime proceeds through the U.S. to Colombia. Between in or about May 2023 and November 2023, CARTIER, ZULUAGA DUQUE, LOPEZ ORTIZ, ESTRADA ECHEVERRY, and others used the Network to launder a total of approximately $14.5 million Tether derived directly from the proceeds of drug trafficking. In particular, ZULUAGA DUQUE, with the assistance of LOPEZ ORTIZ, coordinated and communicated with other members of the Network to convert drug proceeds into Tether to be sent to the U.S. where it was converted into fiat currency by CARTIER and delivered by wire transfers from the U.S. to shell companies in Colombia that were operated or maintained by ESTRADA ECHEVERRY and others.

CARTIER has been a member of the Network since at least about January 2020. As part of his role in the Network, CARTIER operated an unlicensed over-the-counter cryptocurrency exchange. Specifically, CARTIER operated and/or controlled several U.S.-based shell companies, including Bullpix Solutions LLC, Vintech Capital LLC, VC Innovated Technologies LLC, AZ Technologies LLC, Softmill LLC, and Sun Technologies LLC (the “Cartier Shell Companies”), and maintained multiple accounts for the Cartier Shell Companies at several U.S. financial institutions. In opening these bank accounts, CARTIER misrepresented the true nature of the business of the Cartier Shell Companies — i.e., CARTIER claimed to the banks that the Cartier Shell Companies were in the business of software or technology when, in fact, CARTIER was using the companies to operate as an unlicensed money remitting business related to the operation of a cryptocurrency exchange. From January 2020 to the present, CARTIER’s unlicensed money transmitting business executed hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of unlawful transactions and laundered hundreds of millions in criminal proceeds, including drug trafficking proceeds with ZULUAGA DUQUE, LOPEZ ORTIZ, and ESTRADA ECHEVERRY between about May and November 2023.

Finally, ZULUAGA DUQUE and LOPEZ ORTIZ conspired with ALEXANDER AREIZA CEBALLOS and ADRIAN AREIZA CEBALLOS to import more than 100 kilograms of cocaine into the U.S. Specifically, in about November 2023, confidential sources, at the direction of law enforcement, coordinated with LOPEZ ORTIZ and ALEXANDER AREIZA CEBALLOS for the purchase of approximately nine kilograms of cocaine paste, which was to be manufactured into cocaine before being delivered to New York. For that purchase, ADRIAN AREIZA CEBALLOS delivered the narcotics to an undercover officer and ZULUAGA DUQUE received a commission for helping to set up the deal. Additionally, in about February 2024, a confidential source, at the direction of law enforcement, arranged for the purchase of approximately 100 kilograms of cocaine paste from ALEXANDER AREIZA CEBALLOS and ADRIAN AREIZA CEBALLOS. In anticipation of this deal, the Colombian National Police executed two search warrants and recovered approximately 111 kilograms of cocaine paste from ALEXANDER AREIZA CEBALLOS and ADRIAN AREIZA CEBALLOS.

* * *

CARTIER, 57, an Argentinian citizen who has resided France, is charged with one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of money laundering, which a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of bank fraud, which a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; and one count of operating of an unlicensed money remitting business, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

ZULUAGA DUQUE, 61, a Colombian citizen, is charged with one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiring to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the U.S., which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

LOPEZ ORTIZ, 42, a Colombian citizen, is charged with one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of conspiring to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the U.S., which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

ESTRADA ECHEVERRY, 38, a Colombian citizen, is charged with one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

ALEXANDER AREIZA CEBALLOS, 45, a Colombian citizen, is charged with one count of conspiring to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the U.S., which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

ADRIAN AREIZA CEBALLOS, 44, a Colombian citizen, is charged with one count of conspiring to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the U.S., which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The statutory minimum and maximum penalties in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Field Office, HSI’s New York El Dorado Task Force, and IRS-CI, Global Illicit Financial Team. Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Colombia; the Colombian National Police; the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; the U.S. Embassy Colombia; and the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of the Judicial Attaché in Bogotá.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer N. Ong is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Springfield (MA) Mob Crew’s ‘Our Gang’ Back Together Again Under New Management, But Same Faces, Lifelong Friendships Remain

Freshly-baptized Ralphie Santaniello and his boys’ return to the forefront of mafia affairs in Springfield (MA) is a reunion of sorts. Coming back with him will be the so-called usual suspects from his longtime inner circle, per sources with intimate knowledge of the situation.

Johnny Cal. Richie the Postman. Lou the Shoe and Frankie the Shark. Gerry D and even Fat Chickie should be making some cameos. In other words, the band is getting back together, minus Big Al, Bingy and The Animal.

Santaniello and his dad, Amedeo, seized power in the Springfield mob crew last week, leading a Genovese crime family-sanctioned mutiny to reclaim the regime back from renegade crew boss Albert (The Animal) Calvanese by taking back control of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society Social Club by force. Calvanese, 61, almost died in a horrific car crash earlier this spring and is recovering from breaking both his legs. He’s first cousins with Ralphie Santaniello and is Amedeo’s nephew. Although the Springfield crew has always been a satellite branch of the Genovese crime family, Calvanese never earned an official job appointment from the Westside and instead simply declared he was assuming command sans blessing out of the Bronx.

The Santaniellos ran the Springfield mob crew along with Calvanese in the first half of the 2010s, until Ralphie and most of his loyalists were busted and sent to prison in the summer of 2016 and Amedeo was forced on the shelf, with Calvanese coldly stealing their rackets for himself. Over the past few years, mafia shot callers in New York and Boston became increasingly irritated with Calvanese’s antics, which included allowing outed mob informants and leaders of the Latin Kings to do business on the grounds of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel club, filing a police protection order to keep the Santaniellos from stepping foot on the property and shunning sit-down requests and

According to sources on both sides of the law, 56-year old Ralphie Santaniello, received induction into the Genovese mob at a recent ceremony in New York and got the Westside’s sign-off of on his and his dad’s power play. Amedeo Santaniello, 85, is firmly back in the good graces of Genovese shot callers and being looked to by them to serve as his son’s pseudo underboss and consigliere in their tasking him with righting the ship in Springfield, these sources allege. The elder Santaniello reportedly angered imprisoned Genovese bosses in the late 2010s regarding a photo he was in with a known cooperator who put several influential and beloved Westside chieftains behind bars for life, but by now has recaptured his status and the faith in him from the powers that be in the Big Apple.

Last Monday morning, the Santaniellos’s men changed the locks and evicted the Calvanese camp from the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel club in Springfield’s South End. Then, on Thursday, local Goodfella Gerry Daniele called a meeting of the club’s roster of due payers and called a vote to allow a changeover of club administration and the Santaniellos to be let back in as members; the Santaniellos were unanimously voted back into the club’s ranks.

Daniele is part of Springfield’s “Our Gang,” the group of old-school Santaniello loyalists lining up back behind them like it’s the 2000s or 2010s all over again. Most of these guys have all known each other since childhood. Per more than five sources, Springfield mob stalwarts, Frank (The Shark) DePergola, Lou (The Shoe) Santos, Richard (Richie the Postman) Valentini and Giovanni (Johnny Cal) Calabrese. are alleged to be part of the Santaniellos’ remodeling plans, a kind of old is new vibe with veterans and smarter-from-past-mistake mobsters eager to help the Santaniellos bring the crew back to esteem for themselves, the city’s underworld pride in general and the bosses in New York for the Genovese clan.

Former bookie and Springfield mob figure David (Fat Chickie) Cecchetelli grew up with Ralphie Santaniello and was present last week when the club changed hands and Daniele successfully proposed Santaniello and his father to have their full-membership rights at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Club returned to them. Cecchetelli is retired from the mafia life and making a go off it in the film-production and social-media space. The entire group of Western Massachusetts knockaround guys, along with Calvanese, came up in the rackets in the Scibelli brothers and Adolfo (Big Al) Bruno regime of the 1990s and were contemporaries of one-time Springfield mob crew boss Anthony (Bingy) Arillotta, Big Al Bruno’s protege-turned-adversary-and-eventual-successor.

After Arillotta engineered Big Al’s headline-grabbing assassination at the urging of Genovese brass in New York City in the parking lot of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Club on November 23, 2003 and became a skipper at just 33 years old, he filled his crew’s top spots with his boyhood pals. Ralphie Santaniello was his right-hand man and Calvanese, his No. 1 loan shark and collector. “Lou the Shoe and “Fat Chickie” were his main bookmakers and Amedeo Santaniello and “Frankie the Shark” DePergola were his primary advisers, sounding boards and go-betweens with the New York mob. The Geas brothers (Freddy & Ty) were Arillotta’s most-trusted enforcers and Valentini, Calabrese and Daniele reported directly to the Santaniellos, according to federal-court filings and FBI records.

DePergola, 67, was Big Al Bruno’s driver and was with him when he was killed. Upon Arillotta flipping and the Geas getting locked up for facilitating the Bruno hit, both DePergola and Ralphie Santaniello were nominated for getting their respective buttons. Right before he cut his deal with the government, Arillotta suspected Lou the Shoe, a slick Dominican-born sports-gambling lieutenant, was talking to the feds and put a $10,000 murder contract on his head that’s wheels never got into motion. Calvanese’s decision to allow “Bingy” Arillotta, 55, to return to the Western Mass region and back into the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Club following his release from prison to record a podcast interview made waves in New York City and Boston and was at least partially related to his ouster, per a number of sources with intimate knowledge of the situation.

https://nypost.com/2024/04/29/world...er-being-linked-to-ecuadorian-gang-boss/



https://twitter.com/ALunaSilva/status/1784980836699271603

Over history, sure you have had some stand up guys. But there have been way more scumbags who were involved in organized crime than you can count.

These guys would rape your mother in front of you or lace your drugs with fentanyl if it meant they could gain something from it. These guys would fucking blow your brains out even if you were their best friend.

And don't let those ties and dress shirts fool you. Most were up for 2-3 days snorting cocaine and fucking hookers while gambling so they smelled like shit also.