In November 2018, a 47-year-old man pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to drug possession, money laundering and conspiracy. Recently, a federal court in Georgia sentenced him to over 34 years in prison. Following his initial sentence, he is to serve a supervised release for 10 years thereafter.
The man is a one-time immigrant from Mexico who initially became a Texas businessman with the establishment of a trucking and logistics company that was both legitimate and successful. According to the U.S. attorneys prosecuting the case, however, 10 years later he went on to partner with the alleged highest-ranking member of a Mexican drug cartel born in the United States, who reportedly arranged with him to help move Mexican cocaine to U.S.-based customers.
Allegedly, the trucking company owner established stash houses in cities across the United States, including Atlanta. Reportedly, he used both his trucks and his skills in logistics to transport 300 kilograms of cocaine a week from Mexico into distribution hubs in the United States, and then transport shipments of cash in no less than $1 million per load back to Mexico.
Federal authorities required a multi-agency effort to unravel the network of alleged conspirators, involving compatriots at the local and state levels, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as partners on foreign soil. The process included intercepting calls, seizing large quantities of money and cocaine and following the chain of command to identify the two allegedly high-ranking cartel members.
Specific charges to which the one-time trucking company owner pleaded guilty include conspiracy to launder money, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, conspiracy to import cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Drug charges are very serious, and it may be in the best interest for those facing them to contact an attorney.