Jury Convicts Final Defendant Charged in a Cocaine Trafficking Cell Associated With Mexico’s Gulf Cartel
Defendant’s Arrest Part of “Operation Dos Equis”

DALLAS—Following a three-day trial before Chief U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater, a federal jury found Rigoberto Mata, 43, guilty of money laundering, announced Acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Mata, and 20 co-defendants, were charged in a federal indictment with offenses related to their role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Mata’s 20 co-defendants have entered guilty pleas; most are awaiting sentencing.

In mid-September 2008, law enforcement made numerous arrests as part of “Project Reckoning,” a multi-agency law enforcement effort led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), that targeted the Mexican drug trafficking cartel known as the Gulf Cartel, which is responsible for transporting multi-ton quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana from Columbia, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico to the U.S., as well as the distribution of those narcotics within the U.S.

As part of “Project Reckoning,” DEA led “Operation Dos Equis,” that focused on a Mexican cocaine distribution organization.

At trial, the government presented evidence that Mata, a resident of Laredo, Texas, conducted, and attempted to conduct, financial transactions that involved property which was the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity, that is possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The evidence showed that Mata, a long-haul truck driver, picked up $1.2 million of drug money in Dallas. However, officers with the Laredo, Texas, Police Department seized the money, which was contained in three suitcases and was hidden in the trailer portion of Mata’s truck. The money was destined to the Gulf Cartel in Mexico.

Mata faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Fitzwater on September 25, 2009.

DEA, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI, North Texas HIDTA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Dallas Police Department, Fort Worth Police Department, Arlington Police Department, Grand Prairie Police Department, Farmers Branch Police Department, Coppell Police Department, Richardson Police Department, Waxahachie Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office participated in this investigation. Other law enforcement assisting with the arrests included the U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Corinth Police Department, The Colony Police Department, Grapevine Police Department, Cedar Hill Police Department, Duncanville Police Department and Ellis County Sheriff’s Office.