Three Rio Grande Valley natives were sentenced Wednesday to federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to posses with the intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Three Rio Grande Valley natives were sentenced Wednesday to federal prison after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to posses with the intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Efrain Cisneros-Reyes, 37, Mayra Alejandra Cervantes, 27, and Norma Argelia Ramirez, 43, all from McAllen and Gabriela Martinez, 34, of Mission, pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, according to the release.
The charges for the trio stems from the trafficking of 100 kilograms of cocaine and more than $1 million in cash was transported to South Texas, according to the news release.
Cisneros-Reyes was also charged with and conspiracy to commit money laundering and convicted as a felon in possession of a firearm, court records show.
“The investigation identified the four defendants as leaders within this criminal organization. Law enforcement determined that the organization utilized many different methods of transportation to include, but not limited to, concealing cocaine in false compartments located inside passenger vehicles and tractor/trailers. Further, the investigation has revealed a total of 19 funnel bank accounts directly linked to members of the organization. These funnel bank accounts have been used to funnel illicit bulk currency from throughout the country to the Rio Grande Valley,” the release states.
The court sentenced Cisneros-Reyes to of 157 months in federal prison, Cervantes received an 81-month sentence, and Ramirez will serve 90 months, according to the release.
All three will serve an additional five years of supervised release after their sentences are complete, according to court records.
Martinez’s sentencing is set for next month, according to court records.
