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Houston Meth Kingpin Monzon Gets 40 Years
HOUSTON – Kendal Alejandro Monzon Jr., 25, of Houston, is headed for decades behind bars after receiving a 480-month federal prison sentence for his central role in a large-scale methamphetamine conspiracy and illegal possession of machine guns. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Charles Eskridge, comes with five years of supervised release following his incarceration.
Monzon, identified as a member of the violent prison gang Partidos Revolucionarios Mexicanos (PRM), pleaded guilty on April 18th. Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing detailed Monzon’s involvement in multi-kilogram drug seizures stretching across state lines. These included heroin and fentanyl seized at the Laredo port of entry, cocaine in Brownsville, heroin in Livingston, and substantial cash hauls in Brownsville, Georgia and Chicago. Authorities also linked Monzon to seizures in Houston, St. Louis, Missouri, further cementing the nationwide reach of the PRM drug operation.
“The defendant was a key player in a nationwide drug trafficking operation, but now he’ll be spending the next four decades in federal prison,” declared U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “A similarly lengthy sentence awaits others that seek to make a quick buck by smuggling drugs into our country. The message this sentence sends is clear: don’t spread your poison in our communities, because if you do, the Southern District of Texas will make sure that you pay the price.”
The bust began on November 24, 2020, when law enforcement attempted a traffic stop for routine violations. Monzon responded by fleeing at speeds reaching 90 mph through residential neighborhoods, blowing through red lights and stop signs. The pursuit ended when he crashed into a law enforcement vehicle. Inside, officers discovered 15 plastic-wrapped cylinders containing approximately 17,234 grams of methamphetamine. This initial seizure sparked a wider investigation, uncovering a network of drug distribution and associated criminal activity.
A subsequent search of Monzon’s residence yielded a staggering haul: 47 kilograms of methamphetamine, 114.7 grams of heroin, 39.9 kilograms of marijuana, and 13.7 kilograms of Promethazine with Codeine. Authorities also seized over 20 firearms, including one stolen from a law enforcement officer. Several of the weapons were equipped with silencers, and some had been illegally modified to function as fully automatic firearms. Ledgers detailing methamphetamine pricing and quantities were also recovered, painting a clear picture of Monzon’s organized criminal enterprise.
“Monzon, who is part of a violent prison gang, was using our southern Texas border to smuggle a significant amount of dangerous drugs throughout the country more than a decade ago,” stated Jonathan C. Pullen, DEA Houston Division Special Agent in Charge. “The Houston Division DEA agents halted his drug trafficking activities, which impacted the thriving operations of PRM within the U.S. Today’s hefty sentence serves as a reminder of the punishment that awaits those who bring poison to our country.” The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) led the investigation, with assistance from the Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Monzon remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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