Related Federal Cases
Meth Trafficker Gets 10 Years
A 28-year-old resident of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been sentenced to a long prison term for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute meth. Gerardo Cervantes-Valenzuela, a non-U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to the charges on July 8.
On June 7, 2018, Cervantes-Valenzuela provided an informant with two drug-laden fire extinguishers, which weighed over 4.8 kilos of 99.73% pure meth. Law enforcement obtained the items and conducted an undercover operation that led to additional arrests and convictions of co-conspirators in Georgia.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the Organized Crime and Drug Task (OCDETF) operation known as Gelo Podre as part of Project Python – a nationwide operation targeting the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación. This operation has resulted in more than 600 arrests, 350 indictments, and significant seizures of money and drugs across the United States.
Laredo DEA led the investigation with the assistance of the Laredo Police Department; Henry County, Georgia, Police Department; Flint, Georgia, Circuit Drug Enforcement Task Force; Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Georgia State Troopers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony J. Evans prosecuted the case.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Cervantes-Valenzuela to serve 120 months in federal prison. He is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release. The court noted Cervantes-Valenzuela’s prior federal conviction for drug trafficking in handing down the sentence.
Cervantes-Valenzuela’s guilty plea stemmed from a prior conviction, where he was found guilty of drug trafficking. His cooperation with authorities may have led to the arrest and conviction of co-conspirators in Georgia. The investigation and subsequent convictions are a testament to the hard work and dedication of law enforcement agencies in the United States and Mexico.
The impact of methamphetamine trafficking on communities cannot be overstated. The DEA and other law enforcement agencies continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle the networks of methamphetamine traffickers like Cervantes-Valenzuela. This case serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in such activities and the commitment of law enforcement to keeping our communities safe.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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