Private in Army Reserves, 2nd man charged in massive cocaine ring

NEW YORK -- A private in the U.S. Army Reserves and another man are facing drug-related charges after authorities seized $3 million worth of cocaine shipped to the Bronx.

Mark Soto, 23, and Xavier Herbert-Gumbs, 24, were arraigned Friday in Manhattan on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to a statement from Bridget G. Brennan, New York City's special narcotics prosecutor. Bail was set at $400,000.

Both Soto, who's in the Army Reserves, and Herbert-Gumbs live in Puerto Rico.

An ongoing investigation by state and federal prosecutors identified the pair as members of a major narcotics trafficking network. Both were arrested Thursday during traffic stops in the Bronx.

Authorities say Herbert-Gumbs possessed 110 pounds of cocaine, which was pressed into brick-shaped packages. Soto was arrested a short time later with about 26 pounds of cocaine in the trunk of his vehicle, prosecutors said. Soto's vehicle also contained an identification card with Herbert-Gumbs' name and photograph, they said.

Investigators say the cocaine had been transported from Boston to New York.

Soto's attorney did not immediately return a call for comment. An email to the Army Reserves press office for details about Soto's assignment was not immediately returned.

A number for Herbert-Gumbs' attorney went unanswered Saturday. Herbert-Gumbs' occupation wasn't immediately clear.