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Federal authorities seized more than $450,000 in drug proceeds while investigating a South Florida cocaine conspiracy with ties to a Mexican cartel.<\/p>\n
Ten defendants have been sentenced to federal prison for participating in a South Florida cocaine trafficking network that prosecutors say obtained drugs from a Mexican cartel, transported cocaine and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash across the United States and included a cartel representative sent to Miami to oversee the organization\u2019s interests.<\/p>\n
The sentences ranged from 21 months to more than 15 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office for the Southern District of Florida. Eight of the defendants pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.<\/p>\n
Federal prosecutors said the organization operated from at least September 2024 through September 2025 and obtained cocaine from a Mexican drug cartel as well as other suppliers.<\/p>\n
One defendant, Mexican national Javier Garcia-Mora, 40, was sent to Miami by members of the cartel to oversee its interests in South Florida, according to court records cited by prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office said Garcia-Mora was in the United States illegally.<\/p>\n
He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.<\/p>\n
\u201cMexican drug cartels do not get to establish a foothold in South Florida,\u201d U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Qui\u00f1ones said in announcing the sentences.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis organization brought cartel-supplied cocaine into our communities, moved drugs and bulk cash across the country, and even had a cartel representative sent to Miami to oversee its interests,\u201d Reding Qui\u00f1ones said. \u201cTen defendants are now headed to federal prison.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prosecutors did not identify the Mexican cartel that allegedly supplied the organization in the press release announcing the sentences.<\/p>\n
The longest sentence went to Reinaldo Fernandez, 63, who prosecutors said obtained cocaine from the Mexican cartel and other sources.<\/p>\n
Gayles sentenced Fernandez to 188 months \u2014 15 years and eight months \u2014 in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors said several members of the organization played specialized roles moving drugs and money.<\/p>\n
Michel Garcia, 50, Renier Mendez, 46, and Elvis Alfonso, 40, worked as drivers for the organization, transporting cocaine and bulk U.S. currency throughout the country, according to the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
Garcia and Mendez were each sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, while Alfonso received a 64-month sentence.<\/p>\n
Alfredo Miranda, 63; Yaniel Cardenal Frias, 32; and Jorge Victor Herrero Gamez, 33, bought and sold cocaine to and from Fernandez and others in South Florida, prosecutors said.<\/p>\n
Miranda was sentenced to 70 months, Cardenal Frias to 75 months and Herrero Gamez to 82 months. Like Fernandez, Garcia-Mora, Garcia, Mendez and Alfonso each pleaded guilty to a conspiracy involving five kilograms or more of cocaine.<\/p>\n
Two other defendants were convicted on charges involving smaller or unspecified quantities.<\/p>\n
Alberto Gonzalez, 39, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.<\/p>\n
Daniel Gerardo Torres, 55, received a 21-month sentence after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.<\/p>\n
Both Gonzalez and Torres also bought and sold cocaine involving Fernandez and other members of the South Florida organization, according to prosecutors.<\/p>\n
Federal agents seized more than $450,000 in drug proceeds during the investigation.<\/p>\n
Three other defendants \u2014 Juan Miguel Torna Rojas, William Padron Perez and Ricardo Oramas Valdes \u2014 remain fugitives, according to the U.S. Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
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