Hidalgo Drug Trafficker Convicted

MCALLEN, TX—Daniel Nunez, 36, of Hidalgo, has entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and conspiracy to transport and attempt to transport monetary instruments to Mexico to promote drug trafficking, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Nunez had been involved in an organization that had crossed marijuana into the United States from Mexico. They would arrange to cross marijuana from Mexico through the Rio Grande River in the Military Highway area and transport it to stash locations in Edinburg and Hargill. From there, the marijuana would be taken to another stash location where it would be loaded onto tractor trailers for further distribution in the Dallas area as well as the Panama City and Orlando, Florida; and Steele, Alabama areas.

Nunez also arranged to transport the proceeds of his drug-trafficking organization from various locations in Florida back to Hidalgo County, and from there, transport it into Mexico.

According to previous court records, the exploits of Nunez were celebrated in narco-corridos that were posted to YouTube titled “Corridos De Arranque” that sung of “El Patron y El Comandante,” “El Comandanta y Su Gente,” “El Guero y su Clicka,” “El Reinocertonte (M-50)” and “El-M-3.”

On November 6, 2012, Terry Griffin, 54, of Bateville, Mississippi; Jesus Antonio Gonzalez, 47, of Orlando; Delfino Garcia, 54, of Edcouch; Alejandro Amaya, 26, and Rudolfo Castillo, 27, both of Weslaco; James Paul Walker, 45, of Kilmichael, Mississippi; Rafael Figueroa Vargus, 39, of Edinburg; Juan Gregorio Mendoza Saenz, 27, of Mexico; Jose G. Moreno, 32, of San Juan; and Ricardo Ortiz, 38, and Rogelio Ortiz, 30, both of La Villa, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. Juan Reynaldo Benavides pleaded guilty to transporting and attempting to transport monetary instruments the United States to Mexico. All will remain in custody pending their respective sentencings.

Nunez will sentenced on February 6, 2013. He will also remain in custody pending that hearing.

The investigations leading to the criminal charges were conducted in McAllen, Panama City, Orlando, and Steele. This Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation was lead by Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patricia Profit.