LAREDO, Texas – In a hard-hitting blow to the Jalisco Cartel, two Mexican nationals and one Texas man have been sent to federal prison following their convictions of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute eight kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Gustavo Arocha, 47, Uriel Lopez, 45, both of Michoacan, Mexico, pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2021, and Dec. 7, 2020, respectively. Juan Hinojosa, 49, Laredo, pleaded guilty Feb. 5, 2021.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana imposed a 240-month term of imprisonment for Arocha, while Sanchez and Hinojosa received 108 and 120 months, respectively. Not U.S. citizens, Arocha and Lopez are expected to face removal proceedings following their imprisonment.
The investigation revealed that from May 4, 2018, to Oct. 28, 2019, Arocha, Lopez, and Hinojosa conspired to import illegal drugs into the United States through Laredo. During the hearing, the court heard Arocha was the ringleader of the organization and was connected to a source of supply in Mexico with potential buyers in the United States.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Operation dubbed Dart Monkey with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Laredo Police Department, and Webb County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Graciela Lindberg, Jennifer Day, and Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
The Jalisco Cartel’s importation of illegal drugs brought pain and suffering to the community, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana noted in handing down the prison terms.
The investigation revealed that Arocha, Lopez, and Hinojosa conspired to import an additional 27 kilograms of heroin and planned to bring 100 kilograms of cocaine into the country from Mexico.
Related Federal Cases
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- Salvador Martinez, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Texas 2014 · Texas
- Rachel Naomi Hernandez, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Texas 2020 · Texas
- Gerardo Cervantes-Valenzuela, Conspiracy to Possess Meth, Texas 2023 · New York
- Operation Snowplow II, Cocaine Trafficking, Georgia 2022 · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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