United States Drug Enforcement Administration

EL PASO, Texas - A federal judge sentenced 38-year-old Adan Reyes to 35 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his leader ship role of an organization responsible for trafficking thousands of kilograms of marijuana announced United States Attorney Richard Durbin, Jr.; Special Agent-in-Charge Will Glaspy, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Division; Interim Special Agent in Charge Scott Brunner, Federal Bureau of Investigation, El Paso Division; Special Agent in Charge William “Bill” Cotter, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation; and, Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez, Homeland Security Investigations, El Paso.

In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Frank Montalvo ordered that Reyes pay a $36,975,000 money judgment. He also ordered that Reyes forfeit to the Government seized assets valued at more than $3 million including multiple real estate properties in El Paso and (NM), vehicles, and firearms-all of which were purchased with proceeds derived from drug trafficking activities-and over $23,000 in U.S. Currency.

On July 28, 2016, Reyes pleaded guilty to a ten-count superseding indictment, which contained both conspiracy and substantive charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and money laundering. By pleading guilty, Reyes admitted that from August 2006 to November 2015, he employed a network of (the Reyes Drug Trafficking Organization) to traffic multiple thousands of kilograms of marijuana from El Paso to the Dumas, Texas area where it was warehoused before it was delivered to locations primarily in the midwest portion of the United States. Proceeds from the distribution of marijuana were subsequently delivered to Reyes and used to further the criminal organization.

To date, 14 members of the Reyes DTO have been convicted and sentenced to federal prison for their role in the drug trafficking and money laundering scheme. Sentences handed down range from one year to 35 years in federal prison.

“This case highlights the impact multiple agencies can have when they join forces. We will continue to work together and pursue those involved in smuggling and distribution of dangerous drugs to our communities,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy.

“Investigating and combating transnational criminal organizations, like the Adan Reyes drug trafficking organization, is one of the top criminal priorities of the El Paso FBI. This investigation is an outstanding example of joint cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies,” stated Scott Brunner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the El Paso Division of the FBI.

This prosecution resulted from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF) investigation conducted by agents with the DEA, FBI, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal (IRS-CI), Homeland Security (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, El Paso Police Department, Dumas Police Department, Texas Rangers, Arizona Financial Crimes Task Force and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

“Today’s sentencing of Adan Reyes shows that defendants who attempt to launder their drug money through the purchase of real estate and a lavish lifestyle will pay a hefty price,” said Special Agent in Charge William Cotter, IRS Criminal Investigation, San Antonio Field Office. “This investigation sends a strong message about the financial investigative capabilities of IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agents and their law enforcement partners.”

The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply. The DEA El Paso Division encourages parents, and their children to visit the following interactive websites at www.justthinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.