A Mexican national, Jesus Lopez Medina, has been sentenced to five years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and launder money. Following his prison term, Lopez Medina will face three years of supervised release and deportation upon completing his sentence.
Lopez Medina, 33, had previously pleaded guilty in December 2024 to charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The case was investigated starting August 2023, focusing on a drug-trafficking organization based in Mexico that transported narcotics from Ontario, California, to Massachusetts.
Court documents reveal that law enforcement communicated with Reginal Cazares, an alleged coconspirator based in Arizona. In December 2023, Cazares reportedly instructed law enforcement to deliver drug money amounting to $202,090 to Lopez Medina in Ontario. Later in February 2024, Cazares allegedly directed the pickup of 13 kilograms of narcotics from Lopez Medina.
Cazares and two other co-defendants have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Boston Field Division. Several agencies provided assistance during the investigation including DEA offices across California and Arizona as well as local police departments.
This operation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative which aims at dismantling significant drug traffickers through collaborative efforts among multiple agencies. Further information about OCDETF can be found on their official website.
It is important to note that all details contained within the charging documents are allegations until proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt in court.