“El Chapo” drugs came into US through fake seafood firms

An individual who worked with a major drug cartel led by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman helped to funnel more than USD 12 million (EUR 11 million) worth of drugs across the United States via fake seafood companies.

Juan Alfaro of Hacienda, California, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison for narcotics conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, according to U.S. Attorney’s office for the Western District of New York. 

The source of the heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine was the Sinaloa Cartel, led by Guzmán and Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, according to a press release. Alfaro was convicted, along with co-defendant Martha Aguirre, following a jury trial in March 2019. Martha Aguirre’s brother, Herman E. Aguirre, was the leader of the organization. 

Alfaro and Martha Aguirre used “front” companies to launder more than USD 12 million in drug proceeds from drugs listed as “Sea Cucumbers.” Front companies included Triton Foods, Inc. and Kamora Investment Enterprises, Inc. in California. Another fictitious company, Corral Seafoods, LLC, registered in New York, proved to be completely fake, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; the Niagara County Drug Task Force; the Buffalo Police Department; the Lockport Police Department; the Montebello, California Police Department; and the Nebraska State Patrol.

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