Eight Associated With La Familia Cartel Sentenced to Federal Prison for Roles in Austin-Based Meth Trafficking Operation

In Austin today, a judge sentenced to federal prison eight members of a drug trafficking cell associated with the LaFamilia cartel operating primarily in Austin and San Antonio announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division.

United States District Judge Lee Yeakel sentenced: Oscar Maldonado, age 32 of Austin, to 78 months imprisonment; Julio Rogel, age 20 of Austin, to 88 months imprisonment; Jose Duenas, age 35 of Austin, to 60 months imprisonment; Jorge Arellano, age 36 of Austin, to 88 months imprisonment; Javier Jaimes, age 28 of Austin, to 72 months imprisonment; Javier Alvarez, age 26 of San Antonio, to 57 months imprisonment; Jaime Carbajal, age 26 of Austin, to 42 months imprisonment; and, Hugo Rodriguez, age 31 of Austin, to 70 months imprisonment. Three additional members of the conspiracy are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date before Judge Yeakel.

According to court records, from December 2015 until September 2016, the defendants were responsible for receiving and distributing in both Austin and San Antonio large amounts of methamphetamine that had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico.

During the investigation, agents recovered 75 kilograms of methamphetamine, nine kilograms of cocaine, and approximately $175,000 in U.S. Currency attributed to this organization.

The investigation was conducted by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) unit in Austin comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Texas Department of Public Safety, Cedar Park Police Department, Austin Police Department and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Guess is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.