Two individuals have received a federal prison sentence of over 21 years for engaging in drug trafficking activities targeting San Antonio and South Texas. Remarkably, these men carried out their illegal operations from behind the bars of an Oklahoma prison.
Marco Antonio Morales-Perez, a 51-year-old man from Honduras, has been handed a 262-month prison sentence, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. This comes after Pablo Torres-Zaragoza, a 42-year-old man from Mexico, received the same sentence back in December. Together, these sentences add up to 21 years and 10 months behind bars.
According to a statement, the Great Plains Correctional Institution in Hinton, Oklahoma, had two inmates who were previously imprisoned on federal charges. Despite being incarcerated, these individuals managed to maintain their leadership roles in a drug trafficking organization that specialized in methamphetamine and heroin.
Morales-Perez and Torres-Zaragoza were found to have utilized contraband cell phones, which had been smuggled into the facility via drone, for the purpose of facilitating, brokering, and coordinating narcotics deliveries, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. During the course of the investigation, authorities managed to seize over 350 pounds of methamphetamine and 26 pounds of heroin.
“The significant sentences of these two leaders of this sophisticated drug trafficking organization sends a strong message that we are equipped to investigate and infiltrate complex organizations to hold accountable those at the highest levels who are having dangerous drugs delivered to our community,” Esparza said in a written statement.
Five additional co-defendants have also received sentences in the case, as stated by the U.S. attorney’s office. These sentences vary from nearly three years to over 12 years in prison.
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- Jesus Alfredo Palacios, sentenced to 12½ years
- Juan Del Hoyo, sentenced to 10 years
- Jose Adam Alejandre-Navarro, sentenced to nine years
- Israel Villegas Alcantar, sentenced to four years
- Manuel Montoya, sentenced to two years, 10 months
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with support from several other departments such as the San Antonio, Hollywood Park, Castle Hills, Live Oak, and Leon Valley police departments.
