William S. Duffey, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, and C. Andre Martin, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announce that Arrest Warrants were issued for BELKISS ROJAS, 51, of Norcross, Georgia; JOSE NOCUA, 44, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; GLORIA CANAS, 43, of, Norcross, Georgia; GIOVANNA PARRA-YEPES, 22, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; PATRICIA NOVOA, 41, of Pembroke Pines, Florida; JAVIER NOVOA, 40, of Pembroke Pines, Florida; FERNANDO MUNIZ, 30, of Norcross, Georgia; and JOHN FERNANDO, age unknown, of Atlanta, Georgia. According to Duffey:

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on the defendants on July 16, 2003, for money laundering and for failing to report numerous small structured and false currency transactions totaling over $360,000. The indictment resulted from an IRS-CI undercover operation that operated from August, 2002, through June, 2003, that targeted wire remitter business allegedly laundering drug proceeds. Search warrants and arrest warrants were being affected throughout the course of today at the various locations. No incidents or additional arrests have been noted in today's actions by IRS-CI and cooperating local law enforcement authorities. Initial appearances for defendants are expected shortly after they are taken into custody.

ROJAS is the owner of "Musica Latino Y Videos," a business located at 4771 Britt Road, Suite D-3, Norcross, Georgia. Musica Latina Y Videos offers wire-remitting services as part of its business. The indictment alleges ROJAS laundered over $117,000 through structuring money orders and wire transfers to Colombia in amounts of $300 to $1,500.

JOSE NOCUA is an employee of "Los Recuerdos," a business located at 5385 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross, Georgia. Los Recuerdos offers wire-remitting services as part of its business. NOCUA laundered over $100,000 through wire transfers to Colombia that were structured in amounts less than $1,000.

CANAS is the owner of "Gloria's Travel and Service," a business located at 4771 Britt Road, #G1, Norcross, Georgia. Gloria's Travel and Service offers wire remitting services as part of its business. CANAS laundered over $50,000 in structured wire transfers and money orders. JAVIER and PATRICIA NOVOA were referred to the IRS undercover operation by CANAS. They laundered over $20,000 by structuring property represented to be narcotics proceeds in amounts between $300 and $1,000.

PARRA-YEPPES and FERNANDO are employees of "Mexi-Music," a business located at 5946 Buford Hwy., Norcross, Georgia. Mexi-Music Service offers wire remitting services as part of its business. PARRA-YEPPES and FERNANDO laundered over $30,000 in structured amounts of between $500 and $1,500.

MUNIZ is an employee of "Roberto Express," a business located at 3375 Buford Hwy., Atlanta, Georgia. Roberto Express Service offers wire-remitting services as part of its business. MUNIZ laundered over $15,000 through structured wire transfers in amounts from $700 to $1,500.

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

The case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA).

Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie Gabay-Smith and Byung J. (BJay) Pak are prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact William S. Duffey, Jr., United States Attorney or F. Gentry Shelnutt, Chief, Criminal Division, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan.