Two New Castle, PA, residents were recently sentenced for their involvement in a cocaine trafficking pipeline that brought drugs from Puerto Rico to western Pennsylvania. The two men were part of an arrest that netted 17 individuals from Lawrence County, PA.

Luciano Bratini Rivera, 37, was sentenced to 97 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. Markus Hobel, 35, received a sentence of 72 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. The men faced serious charges, including conspiring to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Serious charges need a serious defense. If you're facing drug-related charges in the state of Pennsylvania, The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team is here to help. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online to learn how we can protect your rights.

Western PA is a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

Western Pennsylvania's drug problem has attracted federal attention. In 2022, Lawrence County was named a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the Office of National Drug Control Policy. It is one of six HIDTA counties in the region. This designation enables coordination between federal, state, and local authorities, and it allows the county to receive dedicated federal resources to fight drug trafficking and abuse.

The operation arresting Rivera, Hobel, and the other 15 individuals required coordination between many agencies. The US Attorney prosecuting the case gave credit to federal agencies, including the DEA, FBI, IRS, and US Postal Inspection Service, as well as local organizations, including the Lawrence County HIDTA Drug Task Force, the New Castle and Ellwood City Police Departments, the Pennsylvania State Police, and more.

When you're facing a coordinated effort between so many well-funded organizations, you can't trust your defense on anything less than the absolute best. You need an experienced, thorough, and competent defense team at your side. The LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team will give you exactly that.

We know the criminal justice process inside and out in the state of Pennsylvania. We'll conduct a thorough investigation into your case that will leave no stone unturned. If there is evidence or witness testimony that proves your innocence, we'll find it. And if there were mistakes made in the case against you—something that happens all too often with overzealous prosecutors looking to make a splash with a big case like this one—we'll uncover them.

Defend Your Rights With the LLF Law Firm

The LLF Law Firm is ready to help you defend against drug-related charges. Even if your case carries federal criminal charges, our team is ready to ensure your rights are protected.

If you're facing serious charges in the state of Pennsylvania, including drug trafficking and related crimes, call the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or reach us online to set up your confidential consultation.