A Mexican National who jointly operated Tienda Mexicana González Bros., a small convenience store and market in Southeast Portland, was sentenced to federal prison for using the business and its money transmission licenses to launder millions of dollars in drug proceeds on behalf of a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization.
Jesus González Vazquez, 37, of Jalisco, Mexico, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of conspiring to launder money.
The González Bros. market was an authorized agent for three large money services businesses, and González Vazquez and his brother, Juan Antonio Romo, were responsible for conducting the majority of money transfers initiated at the market between January 2015 and October 2019.
The organization, led by Samuel Diaz and Faustino Monroy, trafficked hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine and heroin into Oregon for distribution. At its peak, the group distributed as much as 77 pounds of methamphetamine and 55 pounds of heroin weekly in and around Portland.
González Vazquez and Romo would receive the proceeds of the organization’s illegal drug sales in the form of bulk cash delivered by couriers to the González Bros. market. They would then launder the money through the market’s money transmission licenses.
“Money launderers who help drug trafficking organizations transfer their illegal proceeds are equally culpable for the path of destruction caused by illegal drugs,” said Scott Erik Asphaug, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
The investigation was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Gresham Police Department. The case highlights the importance of teaming with federal and local partners to address large-scale issues like the opioid crisis.
Related Federal Cases
- Angela S. George, Money Laundering Investigation, Washington DC, 2023 · Alabama
- Diana Petrovic, Drug Trafficking, D. Oregon, 2023 · Idaho
- Nevis Faces Federal Charges in Oregon · Iowa
- Oregon Gangster Duan Faces Federal Charges · Iowa
- Volarat Sentenced to 6.5 Years for Massive Pot, Money Laundering Ring · California
Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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