Five ordered to prison for drug trafficking following search

McALLEN, Texas – Several men have been sentenced for their roles in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Martin Vela-Alanis, 60, and Arlando Garcia-Garcia, 41, Martin Adrusbel Vela, 36, and Oscar Obed Manzanares, 23, all of Edinburg; and Mexican citizen Jose Santiago Luna-Duran, 46, each pleaded guilty Oct. 5, 2o23, for their respective roles in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute kilograms of cocaine.

U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now imposed a 151-month-term of imprisonment for Vela-Alanis and 46 months for Garcia-Garcia. Vela, Manzanares and Luna-Duran received 87, 60, and 46 months, respectively. Not U.S. citizens, Vela-Alanis, Garcia-Garcia and Luna-Duran are expected to face removal proceedings following their release from prison.  

At the hearing, the court heard how this was an extensive and multi-level drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed narcotics on multiple occasions. The evidence indicated that the organization was receiving shipments of narcotics every 15 to 20 days. In handing down the prison terms, Chief Crane noted how this was a pervasive organization that included not just the importation and transportation of large quantities of cocaine, but also the transport and distribution of the drug proceeds.

On March 22, 2022, Manzanares traveled into the United States from Mexico in a GMC truck and parked it at a local business in McAllen. Luna-Duran then took the vehicle to a property in Edinburg.

There, authorities observed individuals exchange items between the GMC and a Ford pickup truck. Garcia-Garcia, a resident of the Edinburg property, then drove the Ford to a separate residence on the property where Vela and Vela-Alanis resided. Upon his arrival, Garcia-Garcia removed a large duffel bag from the truck.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the property and recovered a duffel bag containing 15 bundles of a white powdery substance. They also found over $90,000 and a black and gold Colt Model 1911 pistol.

Luna-Duran returned to the business where he had met Manzanares. There, authorities detained both men. A search of the GMC vehicle resulted in the discovery of over $238,000 in bulk cash.

Laboratory analysis later confirmed the bundles tested positive for cocaine and had a weight of approximately 15 kilograms.

They will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Jose Bernando Gonzalez-Gomez, 56, Mexico, was the mechanic who transferred the cocaine from one vehicle to another. He also pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing May 2.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and police departments in Hidalgo, Mission, McAllen, Alton, Pharr and Palmview. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee Fry and Peter I. Brostowin prosecuted the case.