{"id":14184,"date":"2015-07-31T19:44:49","date_gmt":"2015-08-01T02:44:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=14184"},"modified":"2015-07-31T19:48:20","modified_gmt":"2015-08-01T02:48:20","slug":"former-gulf-cartel-member-sentenced-to-18-years-in-prison-for-drug-trafficking-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=14184","title":{"rendered":"Former Gulf Cartel Member Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking (Video)"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON D.C<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\"courtroom_02\"<\/a>A federal judge today sentenced\u00a0Ediel Lopez Falcon<\/strong>, a member of the Gulf Cartel, to 18 years in prison for conspiring to import multi-ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the U.S., officials announced.<\/p>\n

Lopez Falcon, 41, pleaded guilty on Feb. 3.<\/p>\n

In addition to imposing the prison term, the judge ordered Lopez Falcon to forfeit $15 billion, which represents the gross receipts of the Gulf Cartel\u2019s drug sales from its principal distribution centers located along the U.S.-Mexico border, authorities said.<\/p>\n

In his guilty plea, officials said Lopez Falcon admitted that he was a member of the Gulf Cartel, a Mexico-based criminal organization, also known as \u201cThe Company<\/strong>,\u201d which was responsible for the distribution of multi-ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the United States.<\/p>\n

According to the statement of facts to which Lopez Falcon admitted as part of his guilty plea, the Gulf Cartel maintained an armed faction, known as \u201cLos Zetas,\u201d which was made up of ex-military personnel.<\/p>\n

They acted as enforcers and hit-men to protect the Gulf Cartel\u2019s territory from rival drug traffickers.<\/p>\n

Lopez Falcon further admitted to supporting The Company\u2019s mission by becoming directly involved in the importation of cocaine and marijuana into the United States and the transportation of drug proceeds back to Mexico from the United States, according to authorities.<\/p>\n

Pretrial documents also reveal that Lopez Falcon was lawfully intercepted discussing shipments of cocaine and marijuana, the acquisition of weapons, and the transportation of bulk cash with his co-conspirators, officials said.<\/p>\n

 
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