Mexican Drug Trafficker Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison

PHILADELPHIA – Cesar Vega-Castro, 34, a Mexican national formerly residing in Tuscon, Arizona, was sentenced today to 96 months in prison for drug trafficking and money laundering. Vega-Castro was an essential member of an international drug trafficking organization which brought thousands of kilograms of marijuana to the United States from Mexico and laundered millions of dollars of drug proceeds. Vega-Castro pleaded guilty on May 18, 2014 to conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of money laundering.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond ordered a $300 special assessment and five years of supervised release.

As a result of the investigation, 11 members or associates of this organization were federally prosecuted.  Of those, seven were convicted in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; two were convicted by the Middle District of North Carolina; and one was convicted in the District of New Jersey.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carrillo.