Leader of D.C. Metro Area Cocaine Conspiracy Sentenced

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Jorge Enrique Mendez-Limon, 34, of Berwyn Heights, Maryland, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for leading a multi-state cocaine distribution conspiracy. Mendez-Limon was also ordered to forfeit $540,000.

According to court documents, Mendez-Limon ran an organization that imported multiple kilograms of cocaine from Mexico for distribution to customers primarily located in Maryland and Virginia. Mendez-Limon utilized a stash house in Maryland to store and prepare cocaine, and to store drug proceeds. A handgun with an obliterated serial number was seized from the stash house in June 2015.

This case arose out of a year-long investigation led by a task force of federal and local law enforcement officers into connected cocaine distribution networks in Virginia and Maryland. The defendants represent various components in a criminal enterprise responsible for obtaining and distributing cocaine throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The defendants include alleged street level dealers with ties to the transnational 18th Street gang. During the course of arrests in June 2015, agents recovered multiple firearms, distribution quantities of cocaine, and over $45,000 in U.S. currency.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Paul M. Abbate, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office; Clark E. Settles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Stephan M. Hudson, Chief of Prince William County Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Clarke and Andrea Duvall prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-cr-183.