International Drug Trafficking Ring Loses Another Cartel Member to the U.S. Department of Justice

A former member of the Gulf Cartel, Ediel Lopez Falcon, will serve 18 years in prison for conspiring to import multi-ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the United States, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Lopez Falcon, 41, pleaded guilty on Feb. 3, 2015 before U.S. District Judge Barbara J. Rothstein of the District of Columbia and received sentencing today. In addition to his prison term, the court ordered the former cartel member to forfeit $15 billion. This amount depicts the gross receipts of the Gulf Cartel’s drug sales from its principal distribution centers located along the U.S.-Mexico border.  

Lopez Falcon, in connection with his guilty plea, admitted he was a member of the Gulf Cartel, a Mexico-based criminal organization referred to as “The Company.” This organization was responsible for the distribution of cocaine and marijuana from Mexico into the U.S. Additionally, Lopez Falcon admitted the Gulf Cartel maintained an armed faction, known as “Los Zetas,” which was made up of ex-military personnel. The members of this faction acted as enforcers and hit-men to protect the Gulf Cartel’s territory from rival drug traffickers.

Lopez Falcon also stated he supported the Company’s mission by becoming directly involved in the importation of cocaine and marijuana into the U.S. and the transportation of drug proceeds back to Mexico. Petrial documents also reveal that officials lawfully intercepted discussions of cocaine and marijuana shipments, the acquisition of weapons and the transportation of bulk cash between Lopez Falcon and his co-conspirators.

This case was part of Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation, and the DEA’s Houston Field Division and the DEA Bilateral Investigation Unit conducted it. Trial Attorney Adrián Rosales of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section prosecuted.