Mexican Drug Traffickers Sentenced on Drug Conspiracy Charges; Conspiracy Manager Forfeits $750,000 in Cash

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Genaro Torres, 58, formerly of Laredo, Texas, and Maria E. Garcia, 64, formerly of Houston, Texas, were sentenced for their roles in a cocaine conspiracy. 

Torres, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer. In addition, Torres forfeited $750,000 in United States currency, which he admitted constituted, or derived from, proceeds he obtained as a result of his illegal drug activity. Garcia, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, was sentenced to four years in prison by Judge Larimer.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank H. Sherman, who handled the case, stated that the defendants were involved with a group of individuals that distributed over 150 kilograms of cocaine from Mexico in the United States between 1991 to 2008. During the course of the conspiracy, cocaine was transported to, and distributed in, Rochester by members of the conspiracy.  Cocaine was also provided to Houston, Chicago, New York City, Atlanta and the New England region of the country.

Since the early 1990s, Genaro Torres was involved in transporting quantities of cocaine across the Mexican-South Texas border in the area of Laredo, Texas, and thereafter distributing the cocaine. Torres was found by the Court to have acted as a manager or supervisor in this extensive drug distribution activity and the Court further found that, between 2000 and 2008, Torres arranged at times for the distribution of multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine to individuals in or about Houston, Texas.
As for Maria Garcia, by early 2000, this defendant was selling cocaine in Houston, Texas, after being supplied by Genaro Torres. Between February 2000 and April 2000, Torres arranged the delivery of over 50 kilograms of cocaine in Houston, Texas, to Garcia or her customers. Torres and Garcia are Mexican citizens (and permanent resident aliens of the United States) and it is anticipated that both Torres and Garcia will be deported upon the completion of their sentences.

"It's often said that crime doesn't pay and in this case that is especially true," said U.S. Attorney Hochul. "The hard work of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors has led to the take down of a major drug conspiracy. But in addition, we have literally taken the profit out of this particular crime syndicate. The money being forfeited will now be put to a much more positive use including continued crime fighting efforts." 

The sentencings are the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, assisted by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief James M. Sheppard, and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Toni Weirauch.