A Colombian national has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for his role in a massive cocaine trafficking operation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei today.
Manuel Camilo Renteria Lemus, 37, pleaded guilty in November 2020 to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine, knowing it would be imported into the United States, and distribution of cocaine, knowing it would be imported into the United States. Lemus was sentenced to 327 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III.
Lemus was a primary member of a drug trafficking organization responsible for multi-ton cocaine shipments originating from Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico, for further distribution to the United States. He was the head of the Panamanian cell of the Clan Del Golfo (CDG) Cartel operating in Colombia, Panama, and elsewhere.
Lemus was responsible for receiving maritime shipments of cocaine in Palmira, conducting enforcement operations, and collecting taxes and tributes for the CDG. Airplanes, go-fast boats, semi-tractor trailer trucks, and passenger vehicles were used to transport most of the cocaine shipments.
Lemus was arrested in Panama in March 2020 and was extradited to the United States thereafter. This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States.
“The sentence imposed today reflects how seriously the United States takes the importation of narcotics into our nation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Whether you reside in Anytown, U.S.A., or live thousands of miles beyond American shores, if you scheme to smuggle drugs into the United States, we will find you and bring you to justice.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen Bloss and Jay Combs.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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