In a major blow to the cocaine trade, Leitscha Poncedeleon, 29, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for her role in a cocaine conspiracy.
Poncedeleon was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, alongside multiple other defendants.
The conspiracy involved the shipment of cocaine from Puerto Rico to Rochester via the United States Postal Service, with Poncedeleon communicating with co-conspirators via telephone to coordinate the shipments.
Between September 9, 2017, and January 29, 2018, Poncedeleon and other conspirators coordinated at least 25 shipments of cocaine, each containing approximately two kilograms of cocaine.
In addition to Poncedeleon’s sentencing, Freddie Silva-Otero, 49, of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine. The charge carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Violent Crime Task Force, resulted in the recovery of approximately three kilograms of cocaine, $230,060 in cash, eight firearms, and numerous rounds of ammunition from a residence in Rochester.
A total of 10 defendants have been charged in connection with this conspiracy, with five having been convicted and one sentenced.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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