HOUSTON – Ricardo Barrera, a 67-year-old naturalized United States citizen, made his appearance in Houston federal court and remains detained pending further criminal proceedings, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Barrera is the leader of a transnational criminal organization operating from the Republic of Mexico, the Rio Grande Valley, and Houston. He was recently extradited to the United States and is now in custody.
On October 23, 2021, Mexican authorities arrested Barrera on a provisional arrest warrant in Miguel Aleman, Mexico. He was extradited to the United States on October 10, 2021.
Barrera’s organization allegedly provided domestic transportation services for the Los Zetas Cartel and Cartel del Golfo to conceal the transportation of narcotics and currency through Mexico and into the United States.
The charges allege the organization utilized numerous cloned tractor trailers from various well-known retailers and businesses to conceal the transportation of narcotics.
The investigation resulted in the seizure of more than 76,795 pounds of marijuana, according to the allegations.
If convicted, Barrera faces up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million fine.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) with assistance from Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas Department of Public Safety, IRS Criminal Investigation, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and Pasadena Police Department, as well as the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric D. Smith is prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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