A man from Laredo, Texas, has been sentenced to over 16 years in prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that Gavino Cadena, aged 37, pleaded guilty on November 10, 2022, to conspiring to distribute a significant quantity of marijuana.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana sentenced Cadena to 194 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. The court considered his extensive criminal history, including ties with the Cartel del Noreste (CDN) and the Tango Blast gang. While awaiting sentencing, Cadena was involved in altercations with rival gangs such as Hermano Pistoleros Latinos.
The court identified Cadena as a leader within the drug trafficking network. He managed drug shipments, compensated co-conspirators, and communicated directly with cartel leaders in Mexico. He was responsible for coordinating the transport of over 8,000 pounds of marijuana from tractor trailers imported from Mexico into Laredo.
"The Department of Justice is going to use all available avenues to crack down on cartel activity operating inside our country," stated Ganjei. "The drug trade inevitably leads to violence, and so every drug dealer or cartel member taken off the street makes our communities a little bit safer."
During the investigation involving two related indictments, authorities seized more than 17 tons of marijuana valued at approximately $16.4 million.
In total, 22 individuals have been convicted for their involvement in transporting narcotics for CDN; their sentences range from 18 months to 168 months in prison.
Cadena remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility yet to be determined.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Laredo Police Department led this operation under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), with support from various law enforcement agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; Border Patrol; Customs and Border Protection; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. National Guard; Webb County law enforcement offices; Texas Department of Public Safety; and Blue Indigo Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Day and Anthony Evans prosecuted this case.