LAFAYETTE, La., (KNOE 8 News) - A Weslaco, Texas, man has been convicted of bringing cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana into Louisiana in huge quantities.
United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley says that Antonio Luna Valdez, Jr. 45, of Weslaco, Texas, has been convicted by a federal jury in Lafayette, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base and marijuana.
During the trial, there was testimony that Valdez and others were involved in smuggling and transporting hundreds of kilos of cocaine and thousands of pounds of marijuana from Mexico into the United States, including the Western District of Louisiana, utilizing 18-wheelers, SUVs and other vehicles. Drug Proceeds were then allegedly transported back to the Rio Grande Valley, Texas area.
At sentencing, Antonio Luna Valdez, Jr. will be facing a mandatory term of life imprisonment, a $4,000,000 fine, or both. The sentencing date has not been set yet.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (formerly Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel J. McCoy and Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Richard A. Willis.
