A 15-kilogram cocaine operation has been dealt a significant blow with the sentencing of its key player. Efrain Cardenas Alcaras, a 41-year-old Sunnyside, Washington, resident, will spend the next 12 years and 3 months behind bars for his role in the conspiracy.
On February 8, 2017, law enforcement officers in California observed Alcaras and his conspirators meet with another individual in the parking lot of a retail establishment in Burbank. The group arrived in two vehicles, a black Jeep and a white sedan, with Alcaras driving the black Jeep. Approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine and a .380 caliber firearm were recovered from the scene.
According to prosecutors, Alcaras was involved in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy that began in August 2016 and continued until February 2017. During this time, law enforcement officers were monitoring communications between Alcaras’ co-defendants and others, which led to the seizure of approximately one kilogram of cocaine on September 26, 2016.
Alcaras was charged in the District of New Jersey with conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. His case was later transferred to the Central District of California, where he pleaded guilty to an indictment before U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Wangenheim of the Criminal Division in Newark.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Gutierrez sentenced Alcaras to five years of supervised release. Two of Alcaras’ co-defendants have already been sentenced in New Jersey by U.S. District Judge William H. Walls in Newark federal court.
Alcaras was represented by Humberto Diaz Esq. of Los Angeles, California.
Related Federal Cases
- Meth Traffickers Sentenced · Washington
- Mexican Cartel Leaders Busted in Massive Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Heroin, Cocaine Ring · Washington
- Hanover Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl, Cocaine Mail Scheme · Maryland
- D.C. Man ‘Cruddy Murda’ Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Conspiracy · Washington
- Washington Man Sentenced for Marijuana Distribution · New Hampshire
Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking