5 illegals, part of international drug gang indicted in new york city

NEW YORK – Pursuant to an investigation by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) unsealed an indictment Monday of five individuals for various drug and weapons charges.

The indictment alleges Jose Sergio Martinez-Aguilar, 39; Vladimir Pulstilinkov, 44; Miguel Lovos, 31; Sebastian Ramos, 29; and Ricardo Ruiz-Salinas, 43; were members of an international drug trafficking organization. The government charges Martinez-Aguilar of Thermal, California; and Lovos of Indio, California, with three counts of narcotics conspiracy and one count of firearms possession in connection with drug trafficking. Pulstilinkov, also of Indio, is charged with two counts of narcotics conspiracy and one count of firearms possession in connection with drug trafficking. Ramos and Ruiz-Salinas, both of Brooklyn, New York, each are charged with one count of narcotics conspiracy. If convicted, the accused could face 10 years to life imprisonment.

“As alleged, Martinez-Aguilar and his crew funneled highly addictive drugs across the southern border and from coast to coast, seeking to make a hefty profit off those addicted to his product,” said Peter C. Fitzhugh, special agent in charge of HSI New York. “This case makes it clear that HSI’s capabilities across borders and across the country leaves no one safe from the long arm of the law, and justice will be served.”

“As alleged, Jose Sergio Martinez-Aguilar led an international drug trafficking organization that imported potentially lethal drugs from Mexico and distributed them throughout the U.S., including right here in New York. Now, thanks to the efforts of HSI, Martinez-Aguilar and his co-defendants are in custody and facing serious federal charges,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss.

The investigation, which included court-authorized intercepts of the drug trafficking organization’s communication, revealed that Martinez-Aguilar, who led the operation, oversaw the importation and distribution of large quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine in cities across the United States. Charging documents also allege the organization discussed moving its operation closer to the U.S.-Mexico border to increase the ease of moving its products between the two countries.

While executing a June 26 search warrant of a California stash house operated by the drug trafficking organization, law enforcement officers arrested Lovos and recovered heroin, methamphetamine, and other suspected narcotics, as well as multiple handguns and assault rifles.

In addition to HSI, the investigation included a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the Pennsylvania State Police, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.

Shore News Network Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.