Thread: Agents seized nearly $2 million in drug cash UPDATED

Agents seized nearly $2 million in drug cash

Associated Press | Posted: Thursday, November 18, 2010 11:28 a.m.

Federal agents smashed the backbone of a drug trafficking organization by seizing nearly $2 million in cash.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says a federal grand jury has returned a four count indictment against three men for conspiracy to possess and distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and money laundering.

U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke says that without the cash, the drug traffickers couldn't pay for money couriers, load drivers and vehicles, stash houses or the drugs themselves.

The men were arrested Nov. 11 at a residence in Avondale.

The indictment alleges the defendants used cell phones to distribute cocaine to customers in the United States. The cash proceeds from cocaine sales were then funneled to Mexico.

Online:

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/az/

http://azstarnet.com/news/state-and-reg ... 31b97.html

3 Arrested, $2 Million in Cash Seized from Avondale Home

Agents dismantle drug trafficking ring

Updated: Thursday, 18 Nov 2010, 2:55 PM MST
Published : Thursday, 18 Nov 2010, 2:55 PM MST

AVONDALE, Ariz. - Federal agents have smashed the backbone of a drug trafficking organization by seizing nearly $2 million in cash.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says a federal grand jury has returned a 4-count indictment against three men for conspiracy to possess and distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and money laundering.

Pedro Aviles-Contreras, 34, Luis Nevares-Meneses, 27, and Francisco Sanchez-Torres, 41, all of Mexico, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and use of a communication device. Additionally, Aviles-Contreras and Nevares-Meneses were charged with a count each of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke says that without the cash, the drug traffickers couldn't pay for money couriers, load drivers and vehicles, stash houses or the drugs themselves.

The men were arrested Nov. 11 at a residence in Avondale. The cash was inside the residence.

The indictment alleges the defendants used cell phones to distribute cocaine to customers in the United States. The cash proceeds from cocaine sales were then funneled to Mexico.

If convicted, the suspects face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $4 million fine or both.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/cr ... 11-18-2010

Man sentenced in Arizona drug trafficking case

CREATED 4:29 PM

Web Producer: Marissa Pasquet

PHOENIX (AP) - A Mexican man accused of being a leader of a drug trafficking organization has been sentenced to almost 22 years in federal prison in Arizona.

Prosecutors say 36-year-old Pedro Aviles-Contreras, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court in Phoenix to a 262-month prison term.

Aviles-Contreras pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine.

He was arrested in November 2010 at a stash house in the Phoenix suburb of Avondale. Federal agents executed a search warrant and seized more than $1.8 million in cash from the residence along with a money counter and a small quantity of cocaine.

Authorities say Aviles-Contreras had a previous felony conviction for narcotics trafficking in Arizona.

Man sentenced in Arizona drug trafficking case - KGUN9.com

Much better to confiscate cash than a load of drugs that just have to destroyed. Stopping the drugs is, of course, good but cash is better.