Four individuals from the Orlando area have admitted guilt in a drug distribution conspiracy involving approximately 89 kilograms of cocaine. United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Israel Miranda, Abiezer Laboy-Lozada, Jorge Antonio Gonzalez de la Fuente, and Carlos Antonio Garcia Garcia pleaded guilty to charges related to distributing large quantities of cocaine.
Miranda and Laboy-Lozada each face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison, with potential sentences extending to life imprisonment. Gonzalez de la Fuente and Garcia Garcia face penalties ranging from 5 to 40 years in prison. Additionally, $464,031 in cash was seized as part of the case.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identified the group involved in distributing cocaine and its proceeds throughout 2022. On May 1, 2023, Miranda supplied drugs to Laboy-Lozada in a parking lot exchange where Laboy-Lozada received between 20 to 30 kilograms of cocaine from Miranda. In another incident on October 4, 2023, Miranda handed over a shoebox containing a kilogram of cocaine to Gonzalez de la Fuente, who then passed it on to Garcia Garcia before law enforcement intercepted him.
Gonzalez de la Fuente met with his associates multiple times monthly during the conspiracy period and was responsible for distributing between 15 to 50 kilograms of cocaine. Despite being charged earlier, he continued his involvement until detained.
On October 13, 2023, Miranda delivered drug proceeds totaling $262,257 using a brown paper bag while sending an image of cash stacks via text message with the note “should be 110k.” Further seizures included $51,989 on November 7, 2023, and $149,785 on March 6, 2024. Overall transactions by Miranda amounted to over 89 kilograms of cocaine distributed or its proceeds handled.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA with support from various agencies including Florida Highway Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill is prosecuting the case.
This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling major criminal organizations threatening national security through coordinated multi-agency efforts.