Rafael Villanueva, Cocaine Trafficking, Texas 2020

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A federal jury has delivered a guilty verdict on all counts against 40-year-old Rafael Villanueva for his role in trafficking over 1000 kilograms of cocaine, worth $26 million in drug proceeds, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

The jury deliberated for less than three hours before convicting Villanueva following a six-day trial. During the trial, the jury heard from approximately 21 witnesses, who detailed Villanueva's role as head of a drug transportation group that moved cocaine from the Rio Grande Valley and on to cities throughout the United States.

Villanueva had customers in Mexico who needed transportation for cocaine to areas throughout the United States, including Houston; Chicago, Illinois; Jackson, Mississippi; as well as locations in South and North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. He also provided transportation for drug proceeds sold throughout the United States back to the Rio Grande Valley.

The commercial vehicles were outfitted with special compartments to hide the cocaine and drug proceeds. Several witnesses testified that Villanueva hired them to move the cocaine north and the drug proceeds south, paying them by the kilogram to transport the drugs and a percentage of the drug money coming south.

One of the witnesses was a young male who was only 16 when he started working for Villanueva. The jury also heard about the search of Villanueva's house, where authorities found five guns and numerous documents showing his lavish lifestyle, as well as several Lone Star cards.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that the witnesses were all liars and authorities did poor work. However, the jury ultimately found Villanueva guilty as charged for possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to do so, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, bulk cash smuggling, and international money laundering.

U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. presided over the trial and set sentencing for May 4, 2020. At that time, Villanueva faces up to life in prison. He will remain in custody pending that hearing. Several others have also been convicted for their respective roles in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation known as La Camelia.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the operation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen Betancourt, Jody Young, and Paul Marian are prosecuting the case.

MANDATORY FACTS: Rafael Villanueva, the 40-year-old defendant, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to do so, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, bulk cash smuggling, and international money laundering. The crime took place in BROWNSVILLE, Texas. The sentencing date is set for May 4, 2020. Rafael Villanueva faces up to life in prison.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/jury-convicts-head-drug-trafficking-group