San Diego Drug Kingpin Pleads Guilty to Cocaine, Unlawful Firearm Possession

Benito Lopez, a San Diego drug kingpin, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute over two kilograms of cocaine and unlawful firearm possession. The court heard that Lopez had been conducting hand-to-hand transactions at various vehicles, exchanging what appeared to be cocaine for cash.

Lopez’s parole search turned up an additional two kilograms of cocaine, digital scales, empty plastic baggies, a loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson firearm, and $59,246.00 in drug proceeds. He has agreed to forfeit the nearly $60,000.

Under his plea agreement, Lopez admitted to distributing the cocaine from his residence and acknowledged that the cash was drug money. He also confessed to possessing the firearm despite a prior felony conviction for unlawful firearm possession.

The 30-year-old defendant faces a maximum of forty years in prison on the cocaine charge and fifteen years for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Lopez’s case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing gun violence and other violent crime.

Investigating agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Diego Police Department. For more information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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