Faustino Perez Luna Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking in McAllen, Texas
In a shocking turn of events, Faustino Perez Luna, a 50-year-old Mexican resident, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 88.5 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
The incident occurred on November 13, 2022, when Luna was driving a tractor trailer loaded with cocaine. The drugs were the priority load of a known drug trafficking organization, according to law enforcement officials.
Luna claimed to be headed to Atlanta to drop a load of produce, but a K-9 soon alerted to the presence of narcotics within the vehicle. Authorities referred him to secondary inspection where they discovered the cocaine concealed between produce boxes on the tractor trailer.
The drugs weighed approximately 88.5 kilograms with an estimated street value of $1.5 million, making it a significant blow to the drug trafficking organization.
From March 2022 to November 13, 2022, law enforcement arrested several others in connection with this drug trafficking organization. It operated in the lower Rio Grande Valley transporting either narcotics, guns, or money, showing the extent of their operation.
U.S. District Judge Randy Crane will impose sentencing for Luna on August 10. At that time, Luna faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine. Luna has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
The investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of Border Patrol, has been a significant success in disrupting the operations of the drug trafficking organization.
Related Federal Cases
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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