PRESS RELEASE

Former Mexican governor sent to US prison for money laundering

June 23, 2021
… CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A former Coahuila, Mexico, governor has been ordered to federal prison for his … payments. Law enforcement took Torres-Lopez into custody in Mexico Feb. 5, 2019, where he remained until his extradition … future. Villarreal-Hernandez, 50, of Saltillo, Coahuilla, Mexico, has also been convicted in the Southern and Western …
June 23, 2021
PRESS RELEASE

Skagit County business owner sentenced to prison for laundering money for drug cartel that trafficked heroin and fentanyl

January 21, 2020
… money transmitter status to hide and send drug proceeds to Mexico for drug trafficking group tied to cartel SEATTLE -- … laundering the drug proceeds by transmitting the funds to Mexico using the money remittance services offered at his … drug traffickers to send tens of thousands of dollars to Mexico in amounts structured to avoid any reporting …
January 21, 2020
PRESS RELEASE

Two Hobbs, NM Men Sentenced To Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking

April 11, 2016
… Division X Account @DEAElPasoDiv Omar Arellano Domestic New Mexico, El Paso, Alpine, and Midland Texas Additional … drivers to pick up marijuana along the border with Mexico in South Brewster and Presidio, Counties of Texas, and transport it to Hobbs, New Mexico. During the conspiracy, authorities seized over 1,200 …
April 11, 2016
PRESS RELEASE

Angleton Man Hammered With 35-Year Sentence For Trafficking Meth

October 27, 2014
… methamphetamine that had been imported into the U.S. from Mexico. As part of this conspiracy, Gallegos admitted he … the organization typically brought methamphetamine from Mexico into the country near McAllen, ultimately … often responsible for supplying the methamphetamine from Mexico. He coordinated the shipments from McAllen, typically …
October 27, 2014
PRESS RELEASE

Laredo Los Zetas Arms Traffickers Plead Guilty

January 10, 2013
… for their roles in a conspiracy to export weapons to Mexico destined for Los Zetas drug trafficking organization, … in Laredo from the Dallas area for transportation to Mexico. Otilo Osorio and Ranferi Osorio were identified as … for the transportation of said weapons to the Republic of Mexico. On Nov. 9, 2010, agents set up surveillance at the …
January 10, 2013
PRESS RELEASE

Last Of Los Zetas Arms Traffickers Convicted

February 20, 2013
… of guilty for his role in a conspiracy to export weapons to Mexico destined for Los Zetas Drug Trafficking Organization, … from the Dallas area to Laredo and then to the Republic of Mexico for ultimate delivery to Los Zetas Drug Trafficking … weapons in Laredo and arranging for their transportation to Mexico. On Nov. 9, 2010, agents set up surveillance at the …
February 20, 2013
PRESS RELEASE

Mexican Citizen Living In San Antonio Sentenced To Life In Federal Prison For His Role In Kidnapping Scheme

September 03, 2015
… Luis Martin Cavazos Cantu was kidnapped from his Monterrey, Mexico residence by several men. While Cantu was in the custody of his abductors in Mexico, Deleon Garza placed several phone calls from Bexar … Drug Enforcement (DEA) in San Antonio and in (Monterrey and Mexico City) in cooperation with the State of Nuevo León …
September 03, 2015
PRESS RELEASE

6 To Prison For Laundering Millions For Drug Cartel Also Ordered To Forfeit Nearly $3 Million- Javier Rena Remains Fugitive

April 28, 2017
… Elena Bonilla-Torres, 41, of Puente de Camciclan, Nayarit, Mexico; Guillermo Trevino, 44, of Weslaco; and Erwin Rolando Contreras-Mata, 27, of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, all pleaded guilty Aug. 31, 2016. U.S. District … drug proceeds were stored prior to being smuggled into to Mexico, while Haro admitted to handling the communications …
April 28, 2017
PRESS RELEASE

30 Years For Los Zetas Cartel Leader

July 21, 2017
… responsible for starting the violence that still plagues Mexico today, stating that even though it has morphed into … of cocaine and 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana from Mexico into the United States. Millions of dollars in drug … from the United States to Velasquez-Caballero and others in Mexico. To date, 15 others have been convicted by plea or …
July 21, 2017
PRESS RELEASE

DEA Investigation Leads To Treasury Designation Against Cocaine Supplier For Sinaloa Cartel

February 23, 2011
… drug trafficking organization with operations in Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador, Panama and Spain that is closely allied … value card company Monedeux with locations in Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Spain, and the United States. Multiple … Villa owns or controls 15 companies operating in Colombia, Mexico, and Ecuador that are involved in a variety of …
February 23, 2011
PRESS RELEASE

Former Piedras Negras “Plaza” Drug Trafficker Sentenced To Federal Prison

June 04, 2015
… drug traffickers in the Piedras Negras “Plaza” in Coahuila, Mexico, and was responsible for the transportation of thousands of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the United States. Law enforcement … a minimum of 500 kilograms of cocaine per month from Mexico into the United States, and at least 6,000 kilograms …
June 04, 2015
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Trafficking Organization Leader Sentenced To Twenty Years

August 31, 2011
… Yuma areas - PHOENIX, AZ. - Arnoldo Zazueta-Miranda, 36, of Mexico, was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge … while also coordinating the return of narcotics proceeds to Mexico. Two weapons, along with ammunition, drug ledgers, … cocaine to customers. Jose Roberto Simental-Moreno, 25, of Mexico, sentenced to 12 years in prison. He served as …
August 31, 2011
PRESS RELEASE

Leader Of Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced To 11 Years Prison

January 13, 2016
… of Carlos Ramon Castro-Rocha, 42, of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, to 11 years in prison.  Castro-Rocha, a former … of heroin from a base of operations in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico.  After a brief hold in stash houses throughout … Springs, Colorado; Denver, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Salt Lake City, Utah. Between October 2008 and …
January 13, 2016
PRESS RELEASE

More Operation Mercury Convictions

March 04, 2013
… today of Ramon Manjarrez Del Vaal, 37, of Sinaloa, Mexico, Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent … Rufino Orozco Martinez, 32, an undocumented alien from Mexico, and Jorge Torres, 28, of Bakersfield, conspired to … to court records, Manjarrez came to California from Mexico to work for co-defendant, Jonathan Anthony Meza, 20, …
March 04, 2013
PRESS RELEASE

Alleged Member of Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization Extradited to El Paso

July 01, 2025
… Division X Account @DEAElPasoDiv Omar Arellano Domestic New Mexico, El Paso, Alpine, and Midland Texas Additional … to the Western District of Texas following his arrest in Mexico last week. According to court documents, from January … engaged in a conspiracy to import heroin and fentanyl from Mexico to destinations in Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois and …
July 01, 2025
PRESS RELEASE

Mexican Cartel Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Violating RICO Statute

March 03, 2022
… Division X Account @DEAElPasoDiv Omar Arellano Domestic New Mexico, El Paso, Alpine, and Midland Texas Additional … with weapons and money headed for Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. During his involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel, the … which were destined to be returned to the Cartel in Mexico. Agents and officers likewise seized hundreds of …
March 03, 2022
PRESS RELEASE

DEA And USPIS Investigation Leads To Indictment Of 28 Individuals For Conspiracy To Possess With Intent To Distribute Marijuana

September 27, 2011
… in the districts of Puerto Rico, California, Florida and Mexico, using the United States Postal (USPS). According to … suppliers would purchase marijuana, originally from Mexico, in bulk so that it could be packaged and sent to … a drug trafficking organization from its root: starting in Mexico, where the marijuana was bought then transported …
September 27, 2011
PRESS RELEASE

5 Charged For Possession Of Over 2 Tons Of Cocaine In Maritime Enforcement Operation

August 07, 2017
… like to thank our law enforcement partners in the U.S, Mexico, and Colombia for their diligent work and … and then trying to outrun authorities in the waters off of Mexico. I want to thank our law enforcement partners, who … Aircraft was on routine patrol off the western coast of Mexico and approximately 590 nautical miles south of Mexico. …
August 07, 2017
GENERAL INFORMATION

DEA Recognizes Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

January 22, 2025
… strikes a blow to the crime element in Roswell, New Mexico Please don’t forget to show appreciation to your …
January 22, 2025
PRESS RELEASE

Dept. Of Justice Statement On The Arrest Of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera

February 22, 2014
… achievement, and a victory for the citizens of both Mexico and the United States.  Guzman was one of the world's … violence, and corruption. We salute the Government of Mexico, and the professionalism and courage of the Mexican … We are pleased that we were able to work effectively with Mexico through the cooperative relationship that U.S. law …
February 22, 2014
PRESS RELEASE

Dept. Of Justice Statement On The Arrest Of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera

February 22, 2014
… achievement, and a victory for the citizens of both Mexico and the United States.  Guzman was one of the world's … violence, and corruption. We salute the Government of Mexico, and the professionalism and courage of the Mexican … We are pleased that we were able to work effectively with Mexico through the cooperative relationship that U.S. law …
February 22, 2014
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division Announces Spring Take Back Day

April 05, 2023
… Division X Account @DEAElPasoDiv Omar Arellano Domestic New Mexico, El Paso, Alpine, and Midland Texas Additional … and Sheriff Departments in El Paso, West Texas, and New Mexico Where:           Over 10 locations in El Paso, West Texas, and over 40 in New Mexico In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back …
April 05, 2023
PRESS RELEASE

Michoacan Trafficker Captured in Panama Sent to U.S. Prison

August 03, 2023
… of kilograms of crystal meth into the United States from Mexico. “Today we dealt a blow to the Mexican cartels. … several drug trafficking organizations importing “ice” from Mexico through the United States. Guerra-Moreno worked in … to transport meth into Laredo. Guerra-Moreno resided in Mexico and evaded capture for years. On May 26, 2022, law …
August 03, 2023
PRESS RELEASE

Member of Meth Conspiracy Sentenced to 25 Years for Narcotics Trafficking & International Money Laundering

March 18, 2022
… Texas, and South Carolina to traffic methamphetamine from Mexico into Southwest Virginia and then launder the monetary … accomplices who acted as a conduit from multiple sources in Mexico. In order to launder the funds, the conspirators … money in increments of $2,000 to designated individuals in Mexico as a finders-fee paid to co-conspirator Amy Deanna …
March 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE

Money Launderer for Cartel Sent to Prison

December 13, 2023
… conspiracy, operating on behalf of the Gulf Cartel in Mexico, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) … involved in the importation of controlled substances from Mexico into the United States. “The Cartel del Golfo, aka … including his brother, Ramiro Alanis Espitia, 44 , Mexico, was also sentenced for his role in the conspiracies …
December 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Enforcement Administration Announces Fall Take Back Day

October 18, 2023
… Division X Account @DEAElPasoDiv Omar Arellano Domestic New Mexico, El Paso, Alpine, and Midland Texas Additional … and Sheriff Departments in El Paso, West Texas, and New Mexico Where:           Over 10 locations in El Paso, West Texas, and over 40 in New Mexico In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back …
October 18, 2023
PRESS RELEASE

Albuquerque Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Federal Firearm Offenses

August 23, 2023
… Division X Account @DEAElPasoDiv Omar Arellano Domestic New Mexico, El Paso, Alpine, and Midland Texas Additional … Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Eric Castañeda, Acting Special Agent in Charge … a guilty verdict against Romero, 47, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, on March 30, 2023, on one count each of possession …
August 23, 2023
PRESS RELEASE

Mexican National Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for East Texas Drug Trafficking

August 15, 2023
… determined that the drugs were sourced by an individual in Mexico with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and that the drugs were shipped from Mexico to California and eventually to the greater Dallas … with U.S. currency and a “cover load” for delivery to Mexico. The trailers would leave that location and arrive at …
August 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE

Former Gulf Cartel Leader Convicted Of Drug Conspiracy And Assaults On Federal Officers

September 26, 2017
… and money laundering organization in Northern Tamaulipas, Mexico. During his association with the CDG, … from the sale of narcotics were returned to the CDG in Mexico. Money laundering efforts to promote this scheme included bulk cash currency smuggling to Northern Mexico, the use of funnel accounts to wire money into …
September 26, 2017
Velasquez-Pineda, Pedro
FUGITIVE

Pedro Velasquez-Pineda

Wanted for the following alleged federal violations: ct. 2 -21 usc 963 & 841 (b) (1) (A) - Importation of over 5 kilograms of cocainect. 3 - 21 usc 846 & 841 (b) (1) (A) - conspiracy to distribute & to possess with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaineCt. 4 - 21 usc 841(a) (1) & (b) (1) (A) - Possession with intent to distribute over 5 kilograms of cocaineCt. 10 - 18 USC 1956(h) to 18 USC 1956 (a)(2)(A) & (a)(2)(B)(i) money laundering under case number MO-10-CR-142(11)