Gulf Cartel Drug Broker Convicted At Trial

Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces that a federal jury today found Juan Escudero (36, Weslaco, Texas) guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine; and distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 17, 2017.

Escudero was indicted on November 29, 2016.

According to evidence presented at trial, Escudero brokered a deal on behalf of the Gulf Cartel to mail approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine and one kilogram of cocaine from Texas to Tampa. Unbeknownst to Escudero, he sent those drugs to a confidential source (CS) of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). DEA agents intercepted the package of drugs, which Escudero believed had been delivered. Escudero then instructed the CS to pay for the drugs by depositing money into his wife’s and others’ bank accounts. Escudero also sent a money courier from Texas to pick up $30,000 from the DEA source. When the courier met the undercover detective to retrieve the money, he was arrested. Escudero subsequently sold additional methamphetamine to an undercover DEA agent over several additional months.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Taylor G. Stout and Christopher Murray.