A long-sought cartel plaza boss finally faced a federal judge Tuesday morning in McAllen for crimes he committed nearly a decade ago.
Dionicio Avila Bárcenas, also known as Metro 85, a cartel plaza boss in Miguel Aleman, was indicted in 2016 for his alleged participation in a conspiracy to move and distribute over five kilograms of cocaine and over a thousand kilograms of marijuana from 2014 through 2016, according to the indictment.
The Mexican government extradited Avila on Nov. 17 and turned him over to U.S. authorities at the Mexico City international airport, according to Mexico’s Attorney General.
Avila was responsible for supervising the importation of cocaine and marijuana into the United States from Mexico, as well as coordinating its distribution from South Texas to other U.S. cities, according to Mexico’s Attorney General.
Avila had an initial appearance with a Houston federal judge after he was flown into the U.S., but he was transferred to the McAllen division of the Southern District of Texas.
Avila, who is currently held at an Hidalgo County jail, appeared over video before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia Medrano Tuesday morning when he entered a not guilty plea.
Medrano advised Avila that his charges can come with a 10-year to life sentence.
A jury trial was scheduled for Feb. 2, 2023.
