Federal authorities arrest 15 on drug trafficking and money laundering charges

BY CBS 4 NEWS FRIDAY, JUNE 17TH 2016

Of the 15 indicted, 14 of them are from the valley. Hearings are set to begin next week.

On Thursday, federal authorities arrested 15 people on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

Since January 2000, the defendants allegedly conspired to "(1) engage in financial transactions using proceeds derived from the importation, receiving, concealment, buying, and/or selling cocaine; and (2), transport or transmit monetary instruments to locations outside of the United States in an effort to conceal the source, ownership and control of proceeds derived from unlawful activity," according to the indictment.

Throughout the entire investigation, authorities seized more than 100 kilograms of cocaine, approximately $500,000 in farm equipment, nearly 20 vehicles, more than 60 firearms, more than 30 horses, and approximately $50,000 in cash. The government is also looking to seize twelve properties in both Cameron and Hidalgo counties believed to be bought with proceeds from the drug trafficking.

Those arrested in the case are:

  • Juan Villarreal-Arelis, 43, of Mission
  • Reymundo Villarreal-Arelis, 45, of Mission
  • Jose Luis Villarreal-Gonzalez, 32, of Mission
  • Manuel Villarreal-Garcia, 40, of Mission
  • Sergio Guadalpe Adame-Ochoa, 65, of McAllen
  • Norma Leticia Villarreal-Garcia, 47, of Mission
  • Iza Corina Flores-Alanis, 36, of Mission
  • Jovanna Villarreal-Diaz, 37, of Mission
  • Raymundo Villarreal Jr., 23, of Mission
  • Gilberto Villarreal-Villarreal, 27, of Mission
  • Juan Antonio Villarreal, 25, of Mission
  • Jesus Jaime Andrade, 37, of Mission
  • Denis Winn, 54, of Tecumseh, Oklahoma
  • Jose Luis Villarreal-Arelis, 57, of Mission
  • Nancy Isela Villarreal-Gonzalez, 51, of Mission


Sergio Guadalupe Adame-Ochoa, the former Director of Intelligence and Security for the Mexican state of Jalisco, is one of the 15 indicted in the federal case.

Adame-Ochoa allegedly conspired with members of a Mexican drug cartel to launder money, the San Antonio Express-News reported. He also refinanced a $1 million note with Texas Regional Bank in order to buy Riverside Plaza in Mission and falsely represented having an annual cash flow of income greater than $500,000, according to the indictment.

If convicted, all of the defendants face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison on the drug conspiracy charges, up to 20 years on money laundering charges, and up to five years on structuring charges.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Waco Treasury Task Force, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security Investigations were among the agencies involved in the investigation.

Hearings are expected to begin next week.
The investigation is still ongoing. More details to come as they are available.

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