Drug cartel member sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for narcotics trafficking in East Texas | Crime
A group that was distributing drugs across East Texas was charged with conspiracy to distribute more than 150 kilograms of cocaine along with methamphetamine and heroin from the Jalisco Nueva Generación drug cartel in Mexico.
The group allegedly has ties to a Dallas man who was sentenced to jail on Operation Dirty Bird, a long-term drug trafficking and money laundering investigation that resulted in the confiscation of more than $ 500,000, nearly 40 kilograms Acting US Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced on Friday that cocaine, more than a quarter of a kilogram of methamphetamine, nine firearms, several vehicles, two houses in Dallas and a range of fine jewelry.
Jose Armando Rosales-Bernal, 27, pleaded guilty to the controlled substance distribution conspiracy on September 1, 2020 and was sentenced to 360 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III on Friday. Rosales-Bernal agreed to forfeit $ 4 million in drug receipts, $ 234,971 in U.S. currency, his home, three firearms, luxury jewelry, and three vehicles including a cherry-red Dodge Charger Hellcat.
“Today’s long prison term of 30 years reflects exactly how East Texas views drug trafficking and drug enforcement,” said Acting US Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. “Drug traffickers will not only lose their freedom for a long time, but also their money and other ill-gotten gains. We are grateful for the strong relationships with our many law enforcement partners who have brought about an equitable outcome on this important case. “
According to the information presented in the court, Rosales-Bernal, Rodolfo Javier Falcon, Eleazar Martinez Reyes, Gerardo Carbrera Ramirez, Julio Villarreal, Armando Moreno Jr., Claudia Claribel Gardea, Jose Geraldo Ornelas-Pineda, David Martinez and others have conspired to find out more distributed as 150 kilograms of cocaine, along with methamphetamine and heroin, by the drug cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion in Mexico. The group distributed drugs in Dallas, East Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Arkansas, Illinois, and Michigan.
According to the report, Falcon, Gardea and Ornelas-Pineda – and two young children – were stopped once in Tennessee and nine kilograms of cocaine were transported from Rosales-Bernal to North Carolina. The organization was also responsible for transporting drug receipts back to Mexico in the form of cash. Law enforcement intercepted a large shipment of approximately $ 350,000 in cash. Rosales-Bernal and Falcon both held senior positions in the drug trafficking organization. During the conspiracy, Rosales-Bernal, Falcon, Martinez, and others owned and carried firearms to protect their drugs and cash. Rosales-Bernal and others spent their drug profits on lavish lifestyle items, including the Dodge Charger Hellcat, flashy watches, exotic weapons, a jeweled cock chain, and numerous pairs of luxurious shoes and boots.
Rosales-Bernal, Villarreal, Moreno, Falcon, Ramirez, Gardea, Ornelas-Pineda, Dalia Janet Campos Rosales, Reyes and Martinez were previously charged and arrested as a result of the investigation. Falcon, Ramirez, Gardea, Reyes, Ornelas-Pineda, Moreno and Villarreal have pleaded guilty and were jointly sentenced to more than 800 months in prison. Campos Rosales has pleaded guilty and is awaiting conviction. Martinez has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. This case is pending in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas. If convicted, Martinez faces at least 15 years and even life in federal prison.
“This phrase is not only appropriate, but also a great win for HSI and our partners who focus so much of our public safety efforts on removing drug traffickers from communities in North Texas and beyond,” said Ryan L. Spradlin. Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “The dissolution of this defendant’s transnational drug operation and the confiscation of his property will deliver a decisive blow in the fight against the illegal importation and distribution of dangerous drugs in the United States.”
The case was investigated by the Mount Pleasant Office of the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Criminal Investigation Division, and the Dallas Office of Homeland Security Investigations. In addition, the following agencies were instrumental in this investigation: the Mesquite, Texas Police Department SWAT team; the Texas National Guard; the Texas Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol Division, and Aircraft Division; the George West, Texas Police Department; the 23rd Judicial Drug Task Force in Dickson, Tennessee; and the Mount Pleasant, Texas, Police Department. The case was followed up by US Assistant Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok.
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