Miami-Dade

Suspect sought in slaying of man who stole from major marijuana ring

 
 

Juan Felipe Castañeda-Arrachea
Juan Felipe Castañeda-Arrachea
FBI

mrutland@MiamiHerald.com

A day after law enforcement agents busted one of the largest marijuana enterprises in Miami-Dade County, authorities have asked for the public’s help to catch one of the suspects.

Juan Felipe Castañeda-Arrachea is wanted on suspicion of kidnapping and killing a man who stole marijuana from the pot ring.

Castañeda-Arrachea, of Miami, is thought to have fled to Puerto Rico.

The elaborate marijuana operation was allegedly run by members of the Santiesteban family. For years, authorities said, they grew and harvested the plants, then snuck them to New York to sell. When a man stole marijuana plants from them, they kidnapped and killed him, according to the charges. Officials arrested four other people suspected of being involved in the kidnapping.

Six family members have been charged, along with 10 others, with conspiracy to distribute drugs.

Authorities asked anyone with information about Castañeda-Arrachea to contact the FBI’s San Juan Field Office at 787-754-6000. Castañeda-Arrachea is considered armed and dangerous.

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