An investigation by the US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has led to two New Mexico men being sentenced to over 10 years and four years in jail, respectively, for a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy. Additionally, the co-defendants also had to forfeit several vehicles and firearms as well as $24,893.69.
During 2018-20, one of the defendants and his 37-year-old wife conspired with others to distribute cocaine. The second defendant used to procure cocaine from the first and then sell it to others.
The first defendant and his wife deposited the illicit drug proceeds into several checking, savings, and loan accounts. This helped them conceal the source of the funds. They also used the funds to pay loans or mortgages, including fraudulently-obtained loans for vehicles purchased under other names.