In an announcement made by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani, two residents of the Rio Grande Valley have been sentenced for their involvement in drug and money laundering conspiracies.

Luis Ortiz III, 43, of Mission, and Rodolfo Hernandez Ramos, 44, of Los Fresnos, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the possession and distribution of cocaine and marijuana. Ortiz entered his plea on June 21, 2019, while Ramos followed on August 9, 2019. The charges encompassed intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 or more kilograms of marijuana. Additionally, both individuals admitted to conspiring to launder drug proceeds in the form of bulk U.S. currency during the period spanning from July 1, 2014, to March 19, 2019.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has handed down sentences for the defendants. Rodolfo Hernandez Ramos is ordered to serve a total of 135 months in federal prison, while Luis Ortiz III received a 100-month imprisonment sentence.

The investigation centered on a group of cocaine and marijuana distributors operating in the Rio Grande Valley, exploring their drug sources smuggling narcotics into the United States from Mexico. The illicit substances were transported via various means, including passenger vehicles, large trucks, and airdrops from aircraft.

Within the drug trafficking organization, Ramos and Ortiz played significant roles by operating stash houses to prepare drugs for shipment within the United States. The partnership utilized trucks to distribute cocaine and marijuana to customers in 22 other states. Both men were also responsible for facilitating the transportation of proceeds from drug sales back to South Texas for delivery to suppliers.

Rodolfo Hernandez Ramos will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility, to be determined in the near future. Luis Ortiz III has been permitted to remain on bond and will voluntarily surrender at a later date.