Drug Traffickers Face Money Laundering Charges

On Wednesday, a federal grand jury charged 35 people with smuggling cocaine and methamphetamine to the United States and returning to Mexico with the cash from the sale of the smuggled drugs. The defendant’s are believed to be in operation with Mexico’s Sinaloa drug cartel which allegedly supplied the drugs from Mexicali, Mexico into Southern California, just east of San Diego.

The defendants include U.S. and Mexican citizens. To date, nineteen defendants have been arrested on drug and money-laundering charges.

In all, roughly $9.5 million U.S. dollars, 1,500 pounds of cocaine, 371 pounds of methamphetamine and 1,600 pounds of marijuana were seized. Six defendants were charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, which carries a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life. The others were charged with crimes that carry sentences between 10 years and life in prison.

Money laundering is the practice of engaging in financial transactions in order to conceal the identity, source, and/or destination of money. Money laundering involves the transfer of monies that are a product of criminal activity. Generally money laundering is connected to drug trafficking and while collar criminal activity.

The federal money laundering laws were enacted to attempt to take the profit out of criminal activity. Conviction of money laundering carries heavy criminal penalties of up to 20 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. Furthermore, the law permits civil penalty lawsuits by the government for the value of the funds or property involved in the transaction. As a result, the extremely broad law defined as “money laundering” has become a favorite weapon of federal prosecutors because of its severe penalties and broad reach.

If you are accused of money laundering in Orange County, you need the assistance of competent defense attorneys working to ensure your rights are protected and that you receive your constitutional due process. The criminal defense lawyers at Houston & Blanco can assist with your money laundering accusations and handle any other criminal accusations against you. Call TODAY! Do NOT wait! Call the Orange County criminal defense attorneys of Houston & Blanco at 714.841.3921 or email at info@HBLawyers.net .