Two Bronx men charged in murders and money laundering to further citywide marijuana gang

heir reign of terror just went up in smoke.

Federal authorities unsealed a 40-count indictment Tuesday against an alleged gang of murderous marijuana pushers that included two men from the Bronx, and raked in $25 million.




“These nine defendants were part of a sweeping enterprise that has the blood of six people on its hands and that trafficked in tons of marijuana, laundered millions of dollars, and obstructed justice,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. “We are now able to bring them to justice.”

The nine, who dubbed themselves the Rodriguez Enterprise, allegedly killed six, sold large amounts of marijuana and laundered millions of dollars. They were swept up in the multi-agency investigation, “Operation Green Venom.”

The gang was charged with two murders in the Bronx: the strangling of a man in 2000 in Riverdale Park, and the Jan. 16, 2006, shooting of Richard Cabrera near the Willis Avenue Bridge.

Some of the defendants were arrested during an October 2010 takedown of more than 50 members of a massive marijuana trafficking ring that brought weed from California and Miami to the greater New York area from the early 1990s to 2000.



“This indictment illustrates the grim nexus between illegal drug sales, money laundering and deadly violence,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, adding that police would continue to work with federal agents to rid the city of violent criminals.

Among those indicted are Oscar Rodriguez, 35, and Jose Rodriguez, 46, both from the Bronx. The two are charged with racketeering and marijuana trafficking. Rodriguez was also slapped with money laundering and weapons charges.

The others include Manuel Rodriguez-Perez, Miguel Cantres-Sanurjo and Theodore Jones, all of Manhattan; Felipe Cantres-Sanurjo, of Puerto Rico; Jose Manuel Espinal, of Rye Brook; Orlando Rodriguez, of the Dominican Republic; and Jesus Sanchez, of Miami.

The racketeering indictment seeks forfeiture of $25 million (the amount of their estimated proceeds); the seizure of at least nine properties in New York and Florida; as well as more than $500,000 in cash and nearly 40 pieces of jewelry previously seized from the defendants.

All nine defendants are either in custody or on bail in connection with a prior arrest.