Hugo Gaspar, Cocaine Distribution and Smuggling, Texas 2009

Authorities in Texas have taken down a massive cocaine distribution and smuggling operation based in Austin, arresting 19 individuals in connection with the crime.

The operation, which was led by Hugo Gaspar and his business, G. R. Custom Body and Paint, allegedly smuggled cocaine from Mexico into the United States and distributed it in multiple states, including Texas, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Alabama.

The indictment, which was returned by a federal grand jury in Austin, charges the defendants with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and six defendants with one count of bulk cash smuggling.

According to the indictment, the defendants conspired to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine from January 2009 to the present.

Authorities have seized over $1 million in U.S. Currency and approximately 120 pounds of cocaine attributed to this cocaine distribution network.

Defendant Hugo Gaspar, 19 individuals, are charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. 6 defendants are also charged with one count of bulk cash smuggling.

Upon conviction of the drug charge, the defendants face between ten years and life in federal prison. Of the bulk cash smuggling charge, they face up to five years in federal prison.

“The investigation uncovered one of the most significant drug organizations in the Austin area in terms of sheer quantities of cocaine being distributed, and the convoluted distribution web which facilitated the large-scale trafficking operation,” stated DEA-Houston Division Special Agent in Charge Javier Pena.

This case resulted from an investigation by the South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) made up of investigators from the following agencies: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Marshals Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin Police Department, Round Rock Police Department, Georgetown Police Department, Cedar Park Police Department, Temple Police Department, Travis County District Attorney’s Office, Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Hays County Sheriff’s Office and the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office.

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