⏱ 2 min read
Cesar Cervantes, a 52-year-old Arizona man, was found guilty of leading a massive narcotics and money laundering operation that funneled cocaine from Mexico into Cincinnati. The conspiracy, which lasted from at least July 2018 to August 2023, involved Cervantes supplying 25-50 kilograms of cocaine every two weeks to coconspirators in Cincinnati and other locations. Cervantes used a network of couriers and money launderers from Colombia and China to move the drugs and cash.
The government seized over 162 kilograms of cocaine, three kilograms of fentanyl, and $1.4 million in bulk cash as part of the investigation. Cervantes faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison for his role in the conspiracy. The verdict was announced after a trial that began on June 9 before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland.
Cervantes’ operation was sophisticated, using multiple money launderers to funnel drug proceeds back to Mexico. In one instance, he had coconspirators deliver approximately $300,000 to two separate money launderers, one from a China-based organization and the other from a Colombia-based organization.
The case was part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating crime. The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Drug Trafficking
- Defendant: Ohio
- Location: OH
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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