US charges 7 in North Andover drug raid
Agents say cocaine sent from Mexico
From a North Andover apartment complex, Rancis Osiris Santana allegedly sold cocaine that he had smuggled from Mexico to many on the North Shore, a business that ended when he and six others were arrested earlier this month, according to federal authorities.
Santana, 31, and his six codefendants were arrested inside his apartment on Oct. 9 by Drug Enforcement Administration special agents, who also found 54 kilograms of cocaine that had just been delivered from a Mexican drug supplier, according to federal court records.
Investigators used wiretaps as part of the effort to build the case against Santana and the six others, according to an affidavit filed in US District Court by a DEA special agent.
During one secretly recorded conversation, Santana and one of his alleged top customers, Juan Nova, discussed how Santana would be paid for cocaine he supplied to Nova.
“How many tickets do you have for me?’’ Santana asked Nova, using a street code for money, the DEA said.
“I have about 90-something,’’ Nova allegedly replied.
According to the DEA, Nova was telling Santana that he had $90,000 in cash that was owed to Santana for cocaine sales.
The 54 kilograms, about 118 pounds, was part of a new shipment of cocaine from Mexico provided to Santana by a dealer known as El Viejo, who had shipped it through California, investigators said.
Arrested with Santana were Nova, 57, of Jamaica Plain; Jaimie (El Playe) Lorenzo, 36, of Providence; Ronnely (Ronnie) Santana, 20, of Lawrence; Angel Morales, 39, of Everett; Manuel Alejandro Paniagua Reynoso, 22, of Jamaica Plain; and Sara Vega, 27, of Lowell.
All the men are facing a variety of federal drug distribution charges.
Following their arrests, all of the suspects except for Vega were ordered held without bail, according to court records. Vega was released on bail.
Acting US Attorney Michael Loucks said in a statement that the arrests were part of Operation Coronado, a nationwide crackdown on Mexican drug gangs.
The investigation is targeting a Mexican cartel known as La Familia Cartel, authorities said.
“A case of this magnitude can have a real impact on large-scale drug trafficking organizations such as La Familia and sends a strong message that reaches around the globe - that we will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone or any group that seeks to infiltrate our communities spreading violence, intimidation, and fear,’’ Loucks said.
John Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com. 
