Texan Lozano Pleads Guilty in Cocaine Ring Scheme

PITTSBURGH – Dante Ivan Lozano, 41, from Brownsville, Texas, has entered a guilty plea in federal court for his role in a large-scale cocaine trafficking and money laundering scheme. The charges stem from allegations that between 2011 and 2015, Lozano mailed over 100 packages containing approximately eight kilograms of cocaine to Pittsburgh-area dealers.

Lozano’s distribution network was sophisticated, involving the sale of drugs by Jeffrey Turner and April Racan to Brian Kettering and others. The drug proceeds were then laundered through postal money orders totaling at least $116,700, with Lozano using straw parties like Hugo Balboa to facilitate the process.

Joseph Borrelli, a former Postmaster in West Newton, PA, is accused of aiding the conspiracy by providing addresses for vacant homes where cocaine packages could be sent. Turner and Racan were convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, while Lozano, along with Cosme, Balboa, Kettering, and Coulson, were found guilty of money laundering conspiracy.

The law dictates a minimum sentence of 10 years or life in prison on the drug conspiracy count, as well as a maximum of 20 years for the money laundering charge. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory J. Nescott is handling the prosecution of Lozano’s case.

Investigations into this scheme were conducted by the United States Postal Service, DEA, Cameron County Sheriff’s Office, and Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.

Lozano now faces substantial time behind bars and a fine of up to $10 million for drug trafficking and an additional $500,000 for money laundering. The final sentence will be determined based on his prior criminal history and the severity of his offenses.