Cops: Nine Arrested in Large Cape May County Drug Investigation
Nine people have been arrested as part of "Operation Yo-Yo" -- a large-scale narcotics investigation initiated by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and the DEA.
Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland says last week, law enforcement officers executed four search warrants in Cape May County, which wrapped-up an investigation into the distribution of cocaine.
Sutherland says during the course of the investigation, it was determined that 47-year-old Jorge “YoYo” Goicochea of Whitesboro was the leader of a drug network centered in various locations in Cape May County, Beaver Falls, PA, and had ties to Puerto Rico.
As of Friday, nine people have been arrested and approximately four and a half kilograms of cocaine, worth about $450,000, have been seized in Cape May County and Pennsylvania. Cops have also claimed $28,000 in cash and one semiautomatic handgun.
The following people have been charged:
- Jorge L. Goicochea, 47, of Whitesboro - charged with Leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network (1st degree), Possession of CDS (3rd degree), Possession with Intent to Distribute (1st Degree), Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree), Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree), Money Laundering (3rd degree) and Possession with intent to distribute Drug Paraphernalia (4th degree). Goicochea was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
- Edwin Rivera, 42, of Rio Grande - Possession of CDS (3rd degree), Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS (2nd Degree), Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree), Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree), Money Laundering (3rd degree) and Possession Drug Paraphernalia (4th degree). Rivera was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
- Vilma Ayala, 41, of Whitesboro - Possession of CDS (3rd degree), Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS (2nd Degree), Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree), Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree), Money Laundering (3rd degree) and Possession Drug Paraphernalia (4th degree). Ayala was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
- Miguel Rivera, 31, of Whitesboro - Possession of CDS (3rd degree), Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS (2nd Degree), Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree), Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree), Money Laundering (3rd degree) and Possession Drug Paraphernalia (4th degree). Rivera was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
- Arthur Hoyle, 47, of Pleaseantville - Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree), Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree). Hoyle was arrested in Beaver Falls, PA, and lodged in the Beaver County Correctional Facility.
- Charlotte Reynolds, 54, of Villas - Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree), Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree). Reynolds was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
- Timothy E. Hurley, 39, of Ocean View - Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree) and Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree). Hurley was released on a summons.
- Luis Sierra-Colon, 54, of Wildwood - Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree) and Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (2nd degree). Sierra-Colon was released on a summons.
- Enrique, Pella, 30, of Wildwood - Conspiracy to Possess CDS (3rd degree). Pella was released on a summons.
Sutherland says Goicochea, if convicted of being a leader of a narcotics trafficking network, faces up to life in prison.
Authorities say this remains an on-going investigation and more people may be arrested. Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at (609) 465-1135.
Charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless they are proven guilty.