United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 33-year-old Corpus Christi resident and member of the Sureno 13 gang has been ordered to federal prison following his convictions for possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, announced DEA Houston Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Manual Lozano pleaded guilty July 15.

Today, U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey handed Lozano a 130-month sentence. He was further ordered to serve three years of supervised release as to each count and refrain from association with gang members.

The investigation revealed Lozano was  involved in drug distribution from his 14th Street residence in Corpus Christi. Law enforcement executed a search warrant there, at which time they seized cocaine, crack cocaine, high potency meth known as “ice,” heroin and marijuana in various distribution quantities. They also found digital scales used to weigh the narcotics, glass tubes used to smoke cocaine and $2,883.

Authorities also discovered several firearms and ammunition in his possession. Those included an AK-47 style assault rifle as well as 9mm and .45 caliber handguns.

At the time of the search, Lozano’s 18-month old son was in his care and present in the home. Child Protective Services took custody of that child who tested positive for cocaine.  

Lozano admitted he possessed the firearms in order to protect his narcotics trafficking operations. Lozano has multiple prior convictions for burglaries in Miami, Florida, and Edinburg as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm in Florida. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.

He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Corpus Christi Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Paxton prosecuted the case.