Border Patrol Agents Apprehend Convicted Drug Trafficker and Money Launderer

CALEXICO, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Sector arrested a convicted drug trafficker and money launderer late Tuesday evening.

The incident occurred at around 11:30 p.m., when an agent encountered a man approximately 12 miles east of the Calexico West Port of Entry.  During an immigration check, it was discovered that the man was from Mexico and was attempting to enter the United States illegally.  The man was placed under arrest and transported to the El Centro Border Patrol station for further processing.

At the station, records check revealed that the man, a 42-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, had pleaded guilty of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering on June 30, 2011, in Tampa, Florida.  The man was sentenced to over 21 years in prison for drug trafficking and 20 years in prison for money laundering to be served concurrently.  He was also issued a fine of $25,000 for his crimes.  At the time of his convictions, the man was also ordered to forfeit $21 million as well as other assets including several properties, vehicles and a gun.

Additionally, the man was removed from the United States on June 25, 2019, after he was released early, serving only nine years confinement.

The man is being held in federal custody pending criminal prosecution for 8 USC 1326, Illegal Re-entry of an aggravated felon.