BOSTON – A Mexican man was found guilty yesterday by a federal jury in Boston for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy from which 20 kilograms of cocaine was seized during a traffic stop in Littleton in March 2023.
Erasmo Lira-Mendez, 39, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine (both offenses involving five kilograms or more). U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Sept. 4, 2024. Lira-Mendez was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2023 along with his co-defendant, Cornelio Hernandez.
“This case is a stark reminder of the profound dangers posed by illicit narcotics circulating in the shadows of our communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “While driving without a license in a small, quiet Massachusetts suburb, Mr. Lira-Mendez was found in possession of 20 kilograms of cocaine intended for distribution, hidden inside a duffle bag.”
“This conviction reaffirms our office’s unwavering commitment to hold accountable those who seek to profit from the devastation wrought by drug trafficking,” Levy continued. “We will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state and local partners to ensure the safety and well-being of Massachusetts residents.”
“DEA is committed to investigating drug traffickers who are distributing cocaine to the citizens of Massachusetts,” said Stephen P. Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. “Illegal drug distribution ravages the very foundations of our families and communities so every time we take these poisons off the streets, lives are saved.”
On March 29, 2023, in Littleton, Lira-Mendez was observed driving a car with a temporary Texas license plate that was drifting across a double yellow line. During an ensuing traffic stop, 20 kilograms of cocaine was found inside a duffle bag on the back seat of the vehicle. A subsequent investigation revealed that a private tracking device had been installed in the vehicle by the Mexican drug cartel, Cártel del Noreste.
Hernandez pleaded guilty on April 18, 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 23, 2024. Both charges provide for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The defendant will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed.
Acting U.S. Attorney Levy and DEA Acting SAC Belleau made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Littleton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel R. Feldman and K. Nathaniel Yeager of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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