Rafael Ortega, Marijuana Conspiracy, Texas 2015

A Laredo, Texas warehouse manager has been ordered to prison for his role in a massive marijuana conspiracy. Rafael Ortega, 57, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy and four counts of possession with intent to distribute in excess of 1,000 kilograms of marijuana.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas, Ortega was a trusted employee of a warehouse in Laredo, who had been employed for over 20 years. Unbeknownst to his employer, Ortega made the building available to the Erasmo Trejo Nava drug trafficking organization for the loading and unloading of marijuana before and after business hours and on weekends.

Ortega received $3,000 on each occasion and used the warehouse forklift to assist the organization with unloading and loading of the crates into the trailers. Surveillance showed Ortega meeting the co-conspirators at the warehouse and unlocking the gates to allow them access and entry.

Evidence established that Ortega used his employer's warehouse to unload, load and transport approximately 6,394 kilograms of marijuana. The warehouse had no knowledge of Ortega's use of their warehouse for these illicit purposes.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Rafael Ortega to serve a total of 120 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Ortega was convicted on November 3, 2015, following a three-day trial.

The charges were the result of a long-term Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Investigation dubbed Operation Trena Sin Trono spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and IRS - Criminal Investigation with the assistance of local agencies.

The remaining 18 defendants had previously pleaded guilty and are also awaiting sentencing.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/warehouse-manager-ordered-prison