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Crime: Cocaine Trafficking
Three Laredo Residents Sentenced
Three Laredo residents have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and launder money, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The defendants, Cesar Mendiola, 57, Rafael Rodriguez, 63, and Jose Angel Rodriguez III, 34, each pleaded guilty on June 7. Mendiola, Rodriguez III and Rafael Rodriguez were sentenced to 151 months, 12 months and 24 months in federal prison, respectively.
The court also ordered Mendiola to forfeit $25,400 of drug proceeds. The defendants were involved in a drug trafficking organization with ties to the CDN cartel, revealed during the investigation.
Additionally, Elizardo Vasquez Jr., 31, was previously sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for his involvement.
The investigation revealed that brothers Jose Angel Rodriguez Jr. and Rafael Rodriguez would receive kilograms of cocaine from a source in Mexico and provide that cocaine to Mendiola for further distribution in and around Laredo. Rodriguez III kept records of transactions and drug proceeds for his father.
Throughout the course of this investigation, authorities seized nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine and over $147,000 in drug proceeds.
Mendiola and Rafael Rodriguez will remain in custody while Rodriguez III was permitted to remain on bond.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony J. Evans and Brian Bajew prosecuted the case.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and local law enforcement agencies.
The Webb County District Attorney’s Office, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, and the United Independent School District Police Department assisted in the investigation.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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