A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida has indicted five men from South Florida for their roles in an international cocaine trafficking network that operated out of a luxurious skyscraper in Midtown Miami, according to an official statement from the Department of Justice.
Operation Mousetrap Unveils International Drug Network
Dubbed "Operation Mousetrap," this initiative dismantled an organization that transported narcotics from Colombia through the Dominican Republic to South Florida.
The operation concluded with the discovery of 536 kilograms of cocaine, 14 firearms—including an unregistered AK-47—and approximately $3.1 million in cash within the apartment.
Key Players and Charges
The individuals charged include Daniel "Mickey" Hernández, 38, from Miami; Frank González, 45, from Hialeah; Alexander "Al Biggs" Walker Caraballo, 50, from Miami; Jose Luis "Lil Cuz" Díaz Jr., 33, from Miami Gardens; and Humberto "Kiki" Moreno, 42, from Miami.
As of this report, the nationalities of the arrested individuals have not been disclosed. All face charges of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Hernández and Díaz are also charged with drug distribution offenses, while Walker and González face additional accusations of possession with intent to distribute, possession of firearms to facilitate drug trafficking, and possession of weapons as previously convicted felons.
Investigators have identified Hernández as the principal distributor, with Moreno, Caraballo, and González among his suppliers and associates.
Luxury Apartment as Trafficking Hub
Court documents reveal that agents traced the operation to a skyscraper in Midtown Miami, where cocaine was stored and prepared for distribution.
Following the execution of a search warrant, Walker was arrested, and agents recovered additional cocaine packaged for street distribution, along with cash hidden in secret compartments of his vehicle.
The operation was allegedly led by Andy Gabriel Mercedes-Hernández, who oversaw the storage and distribution of shipments with the help of approximately 20 individuals, including boat captains, security personnel, and street dealers.
In addition to the five main defendants, Jesús Alberto Salcedo-Pérez, Keisy Estibet Peguero, Enmanuel Amauris Rivera-Cabrera, and Mario Joel Rijo-Jiménez were arrested, with additional charges filed against suppliers in the Dominican Republic and Colombia.
Maritime Network Smuggled Up to 1,700 Kilos per Trip
Operation Mousetrap is part of a broader investigative effort that includes "Operation Horseman's Voyage," targeting maritime trafficking networks.
According to the Department of Justice, investigators identified a network importing up to 1,700 kilograms of cocaine aboard high-end fishing vessels traveling from the Dominican Republic to Miami.
In October 2025, authorities arrested two suspects and seized over $250,000 in drug trafficking proceeds hidden in a vehicle. In a separate interdiction, they confiscated more than 1,600 kilograms of cocaine from a vessel.
A previous operation, "Operation Final Voyage," resulted in the pursuit of high-level traffickers and the cooperation of over 90 defendants.
This isn't the first time South Florida authorities have disrupted similar networks. In August 2025, the Coast Guard made its largest cocaine seizure in history, unloading more than 34,800 kilograms in Port Everglades, and in April of that year, nearly $510 million in drugs linked to Mexican cartels were seized.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison for the conspiracy charge. Walker and González also face additional life sentences for weapons offenses.
The investigation was led by the DEA Miami with support from the ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, Miami Police, the Coast Guard, and the Florida National Guard, among other agencies, under the National Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159.
The Department of Justice emphasized that "an indictment is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
Details on Miami Drug Trafficking Bust
What is Operation Mousetrap?
Operation Mousetrap is a law enforcement initiative that dismantled a cocaine trafficking network operating from Midtown Miami to move drugs from Colombia through the Dominican Republic to South Florida.
Who were the main individuals charged in the operation?
The main individuals charged include Daniel "Mickey" Hernández, Frank González, Alexander "Al Biggs" Walker Caraballo, Jose Luis "Lil Cuz" Díaz Jr., and Humberto "Kiki" Moreno, all from South Florida.
What penalties do the accused face if convicted?
If convicted, the accused face a minimum of 10 years in prison and could receive up to life sentences for the conspiracy charge. Additional life sentences are possible for weapons charges against some defendants.