TUCSON, Ariz. – Joel Sesma-Garcia, 40, and Gerald Fidel Herrera, 41, were sentenced for their roles in a cocaine distribution ring that operated from 2008 to 2012.
The ring, which spanned five states, was dismantled on August 9, 2012, after a multi-agency investigation.
Joel Sesma-Garcia was sentenced on February 10, 2015, to 25 years in prison for his role in the conspiracy. Gerald Fidel Herrera was sentenced on January 30, 2015, to 15 years in prison.
The investigation revealed that the pair conspired to distribute over 527 kilograms of cocaine from Tucson to co-conspirators in Brooklyn, New York, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Cleveland, Ohio, and Bradenton, Florida.
The cocaine was transported in vehicles with false compartments, and the co-conspirators in the distribution cities sent back approximately $12 million in bulk cash, also concealed in the vehicles.
Investigators seized over $2.5 million in bulk cash and 17 firearms from the organization during the investigation.
The organization used the drug proceeds to purchase dozens of vehicles, including luxury cars such as a 2002 Ferrari Spyder, a 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago, and a 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo.
The investigation was conducted by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Tucson Strike Force, which includes agents and investigators from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and other agencies.
The prosecution was handled by Mary Sue Feldmeier and Josh Ackerman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Tucson.
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Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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