The leader reportedly used contraband cell phones that had been smuggled into the facility by a drone.
SAN ANTONIO — A Honduran man has been sentenced to 21 years in federal prison after officials say he was the leader of a drug trafficking organization that was smuggling drugs into San Antonio.
Court documents show that Marco Antonio Morales-Perez, 51, along with Pablo Torres-Zaragoza aka Jose Juan Zaragoza-Cardenas, 42, led an organization that trafficked meth and heroin into San Antonio and other South Texas areas while they were both incarcerated at the Great Plains Correctional Institution in Hinton, Oklahoma on prior federal charges.
The duo reportedly used contraband cell phones that had been smuggled into the facility by a drone to, “facilitate, broker and coordinate narcotics deliveries, relying on various contacts, acquaintances and intermediaries to ultimately accomplish the deliveries.”
More than 352 pounds of meth and more than 26 pounds of heroin were seized by investigators.
“The significant sentences of these two leaders of this sophisticated drug trafficking organization sends a strong message that we are equipped to investigate and infiltrate complex organizations to hold accountable those at the highest levels who are having dangerous drugs delivered to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “I’d also like to thank the many local law enforcement agencies along with state and federal partners who have provided the essential investigative support to help prosecute these drug traffickers.”
Torres-Zaragoza was given the same sentence back on Dec. 4, 2024, that Morales-Perez received on Wednesday. Five co-defendants have also been given several-year sentences for their involvement in the organization.