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Press Release

Leader and Others Sent to Federal Prison in Cocaine and Meth Trafficking Operation

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas

GALVESTON, Texas – A 41-year-old Mexican national who illegally resided in Houston has been ordered to prison following his conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Agusto Lazo-Aguirre pleaded guilty March 2, 2018.  

Today, U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. ordered him to prison for 325 months. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release. At the hearing, Lazo-Aguirre was found to be a leader, manager and organizer of the group and was found to have distributed or been responsible for the distribution of more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine during the course of the conspiracy between July 1, 2015, and Feb. 22, 2016. 

Previously sentenced were Tony Perez, 24, of Dickinson and Carlos Chayane Morales, 27, of Galveston. Perez received a 168-term of imprisonment, while Morales was ordered to serve a sentence of 120 months.

The investigation began in September 2014. It revealed Lazo-Aguirre purchased cocaine and methamphetamine from several sources in the Houston area and worked with known co-conspirators, such as Perez and Morales. They facilitated the distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine in the Houston-Galveston area and to other destinations throughout the United States.

Those that participated in the conspiracy obtained drugs from or through Lazo-Aguirre and delivered or sold the same drugs in the Houston-Galveston area. They obtained payments in cash for the drugs and returned it to Lazo-Aguirre. Lazo-Aguirre paid these other persons in cash or with drugs.

He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Cusick is prosecuting the case.

Updated December 14, 2018

Topic
Drug Trafficking