Federal charges leveled at alleged S. Phila. cocaine ring

The reputed head of a South Philadelphia-based cocaine ring and 10 of his associates were charged with federal drug trafficking yesterday in a case that was developed by state and local police and has been adopted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

William Caraballo, 40, described as the head of a "large-scale cocaine trafficking organization," was named the lead defendant in an indictment unsealed in the afternoon.

State authorities had charged that the organization, which operated out of a now-defunct bar at 10th and Watkins Streets, brought more than 35 kilograms of cocaine onto the Philadelphia market. The group allegedly sold drugs wholesale and retail out of the Bella Rosa II Bar & Grill.

Caraballo and several of his codefendants were first arrested in June 2008 in a case developed by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and Philadelphia police. Most have been free on bail.

The indictment announced yesterday incorporates the charges in that case. The investigation was built in part on informant testimony, undercover drug buys, and hundreds of wiretapped conversations.

Charged with Caraballo were Joseph DeJesus, 50; Steven Berti, 38; Joseph Capparella, 32; Dana Coppertino, 36; David Duncan, 40; Karen Fedrick, 35; Wayne Henderson, 41; Edward Kranicki, 47; Gloria Richards, 48; and Nestor Torres, 45. All are Philadelphia residents.

Deputy State Attorney General Erik Olsen said he intends to move today to have the state case dismissed in Common Pleas Court.

At least one defendant, DeJesus, is believed to be cooperating with authorities. He testified for the government at a preliminary hearing in February.

DeJesus, who said he was a manager at the Bella Rosa II, said he routinely had sold drugs for Caraballo out of the bar. He also testified about how the cocaine was packaged and distributed, and identified a South Philadelphia apartment and a garage that he said the drug network used.

Among other things, wiretaps played at the hearing linked a South Philadelphia drug dealer who has long been the target of a federal-city narcotics investigation to the Caraballo network as a buyer and seller.

The alleged dealer, who is said to control large quantities of cocaine, has not been charged.