Related Federal Cases
Ex-Guatemalan Congressman Admits to Drug Conspiracy
PLANO, Texas – A former Guatemalan congressman has confessed to playing a key role in an international drug trafficking operation, U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs of the Eastern District of Texas announced today. The betrayal of public trust is stark: a man sworn to defend his nation instead facilitated the flow of deadly narcotics towards American streets.
Jose Armando Ubico Aguilar, 45, a former senior Republic of Guatemala official, pleaded guilty to an international drug trafficking conspiracy violation before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly Priest Johnson on May 1, 2024. Ubico Aguilar arrived in the United States from Central America earlier this week and was immediately taken into custody. He now faces a reckoning for his calculated decisions.
Court documents reveal Ubico Aguilar served as an elected member of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala from 2016 to 2024. He also held the position of Deputy and, crucially, President of the National Defense Committee of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala from 2018 to 2023. Diggs minced no words: “As a senior leader…Ubico Aguilar was entrusted to further the fight against drug traffickers. Instead, Ubico Aguilar betrayed his country when he chose to partner with known drug traffickers and other corrupt officials.”
The scope of Ubico Aguilar’s involvement is significant. According to the prosecution, he wasn’t just aware of the operation, he actively participated. During his plea hearing, Ubico Aguilar admitted to relaying critical drug-related information and U.S. currency to another Guatemalan official on behalf of an international drug trafficker. This enabled the safe passage of at least 450 kilograms of cocaine through Guatemala, destined for distribution within the United States. DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez stated, “The arrest…shows the swift justice criminals will meet through DEA Dallas’ efforts to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations.”
Ubico Aguilar now faces a potential sentence of 10 years to life in federal prison. Sentencing will be determined by the court, taking into account advisory guidelines and other statutory factors. A presentence investigation will be conducted by the U.S. Probation Office before a sentencing hearing is scheduled. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation, a multi-agency effort targeting the highest-level criminal organizations.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the North Texas OCDETF Strike Force, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (Dallas and Guatemala City/San Jose offices), the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations (Dallas and Guatemala Field Offices), the U.S. Marshals Service (Dallas Field Office), and Customs and Border Patrol (San Diego Field Office). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also played a crucial role in securing Ubico Aguilar’s extradition and prosecution. The full weight of the law is coming down on this corrupt official, sending a clear message that no one, regardless of their position, is above it.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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