---
category: Iran-Contra
summary: Edgar Torres was one of the Nicaraguan Torres brothers who became major cocaine
  traffickers and key distributors for Danilo Blandón's drug network in Los Angeles.
tags:
- person
- nicaraguan
- contra-war
---

Edgar Torres was one of the Nicaraguan Torres brothers who became major [cocaine](/concepts/cocaine/) traffickers and key distributors for [Danilo Blandón](/people/danilo-blandon/)'s drug network in [Los Angeles](/places/los-angeles/). Along with his brother [Jacinto](/people/jacinto-torres/), Edgar managed the East Los Angeles distribution hub that moved massive quantities of cocaine supplied by Blandón and [Meneses](/people/norwin-meneses/).[^1]

### The Torres Brothers Network

The Torres brothers ran the East Los Angeles end of Blandón's cocaine distribution network, handling the street-level operations that moved drugs from Blandón's wholesale supply to dealers like ["Freeway" Ricky Ross](/people/ricky-ross/). An FBI report stated the Torres brothers estimated Blandón moved over 5,000 kilograms of cocaine between 1980 and 1991. The brothers provided crucial testimony to law enforcement about the scale and operations of the [Contra](/organizations/contras/)-connected trafficking network, becoming key cooperating witnesses whose information led investigators toward the Contra drug connection.[^2]

[^1]: Webb, Gary. *Dark Alliance: The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion.* Seven Stories Press, 1998. Ch. 7.
[^2]: Webb, Gary. *Dark Alliance: The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion.* Seven Stories Press, 1998. Ch. 7, Ch. 10.