Julian Felix-Aguirre, Heroin Distribution, Missouri 2018

Kansas City, MO - In a major blow to the heroin trade in Kansas City, two Mexican nationals have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a conspiracy that distributed over 14 kilograms of heroin.

Julian Felix-Aguirre, 46, and Martin Missael Puerta-Navarro, 38, were sentenced in separate hearings before U.S. District Judge Gary A. Fenner on June 19. Felix-Aguirre was sentenced to 24 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. Puerta-Navarro was sentenced to 14 years and eight months in federal prison without parole.

Felix-Aguirre was arrested during a traffic stop on September 14, 2016, because he did not have a valid driver's license. When officers searched his vehicle, they found a package that contained approximately 16 ounces of black tar heroin.

Law enforcement officers then executed search warrants at two residences, where they found firearms and ammunition, bulk currency, multiple ledgers, various drug packaging, packaged methamphetamine and heroin, and money transfer receipts.

According to court documents, co-defendant Dennis McLallen, 66, of Overland Park, was in direct contact with Mexico-based heroin and methamphetamine suppliers who worked through Kansas City-based associates, including Felix-Aguirre and Puerta-Navarro.

Defendants in the case worked with the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico to establish stash houses, build hidden compartments in load vehicles, receive black tar heroin, sell it to Kansas City-area customers for cash, and deposit or transfer the illicit funds in bank accounts or through wire transfer businesses.

The conspiracy distributed at least 500 ounces (more than 14 kilograms) of heroin, with an average sale price of $1,700 per ounce, for a total of $850,000.

Defendant Julian Felix-Aguirre's exact criminal charges include participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, participating in a money-laundering conspiracy, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant Julian Felix-Aguirre, exact criminal charges: Participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, participating in a money-laundering conspiracy, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. City and state: Kansas City, MO. Exact date: September 14, 2016 (arrest), June 19 (sentencing). Sentence or outcome: 24 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. Dollar amounts: $850,000.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/mexican-nationals-sentenced-conspiracy-distribute-multi-kilos-heroin