June 23, 2008

Anchorage-area cocaine dealers sentenced to federal prison
Illegal sales netted more than $500,000 for traffickers

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Two Mexican nationals were each sentenced to 10 years in prison today on federal cocaine and money-laundering charges, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to court documents, Jose Antonion Diaz, 31, and Adolfo Sanchez Rios, 36, were part of a drug dealing organization that sold more than 85 pounds of cocaine in Anchorage and the surrounding area over a two-year period.

During the course of the investigation into this drug ring, ICE agents and other law enforcement officers seized more than $500,000 in cash, which represented the proceeds of the illegal drug sales.

"Today's sentence underscores that drug trafficking is a crime with serious consequences," said Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge of the ICE office of investigations that oversees Alaska. "ICE will continue to use its investigative resources to curtail this type of illegal activity."

Following completion of their prison sentences, Diaz and Rios are subject to being removed to Mexico.

ICE was joined in this investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
-- ICE --

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases ... horage.htm