A 97-month prison sentence has been handed down to Christian Hugo Contreras, a 34-year-old Mexican national residing in El Paso, Texas, for his involvement in a marijuana trafficking and money laundering ring operating in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas.
Contreras was one of twelve defendants facing drug trafficking and money laundering charges as a result of a multi-agency investigation targeting marijuana traffickers and money launderers operating in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas.
The investigation, which began in October 2014, targeted a marijuana trafficking organization allegedly led by Rodolfo Lopez, 33, of El Paso, that transported marijuana from El Paso to Chaves County, New Mexico, and Lubbock, Texas. The investigation expanded to include two smaller drug trafficking organizations that transported marijuana to Lubbock through Chaves County and Eddy County, New Mexico.
In one case, ten of the members of the marijuana importation and distribution ring, including Contreras, were charged in a 42-count indictment with drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies and a series of drug and money laundering substantive offenses.
On November 13, 2015, Contreras entered guilty pleas in the two cases in which he was charged. With respect to the first case, Contreras pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute marijuana, conspiracy to commit money laundering, eight counts of using a communication device to facilitate drug trafficking crimes, and 11 counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and money laundering.
Contreras will be deported after completing his prison sentence. To date, ten of the twelve defendants have been sentenced, with Contreras being the latest to receive a prison term.
Defendant: Christian Hugo Contreras
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Using a Communication Device to Facilitate Drug Trafficking Crimes, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Money Laundering
City and State: El Paso, Texas
Date: November 13, 2015
Sentence: 97 months in prison
Dollar Amounts: None
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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