Three Florida men were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a cocaine distribution conspiracy that involved using the U.S. Mail for deliveries.
The ringleader, Omar Josue Morales-Rodriguez, 45, of Freeport, Florida, will spend the next 15 years (180 months) reflecting on his poor career choices after pleading guilty to conspiracy, distribution, and firearm charges. Apparently, his previous three-year stint in federal prison for firearm possession didn’t teach him the lesson that guns and drugs are a bad combination.
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Meanwhile, Marcos Aguilar Gonzalez, 50, of Santa Rosa Beach, and Edmar Agustin Gonzalez, 34, of Crestview, each received 18 months in federal prison for their less prominent roles in the conspiracy. All three will also face supervised release after their prison terms.
“This investigation demonstrates the effectiveness and collaborative efforts of our local and federal law enforcement partners, to identify and intercept shipments of illegal substances via the United States Mail,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “We remain committed to support their efforts through the investigation and prosecution of criminals bringing drugs into North Florida. The imposed sentences illustrate the significant consequences of harming our citizens through their illicit drug trafficking activities.”
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The investigation, led by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, revealed that the trio shipped cocaine from Puerto Rico to addresses in Okaloosa and Walton County between October 2019 and June 2023. Postal inspectors intercepted multiple packages containing kilograms of cocaine, along with a package containing $10,000 cash headed back to Puerto Rico.
“The duration of this investigation highlights our commitment to fighting illegal drug activity in Walton County,” said Captain Dustin Cosson of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau. “This case represents countless hours of work dedicated to holding traffickers accountable. The diligence of our narcotics investigators coupled with our strong partnerships with the DEA and the U.S. States Postal Service should send a clear message to anyone involved in similar activities.”
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“When people choose to distribute illicit drugs in the U.S. Mail, they should know the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our law enforcement partners, will actively pursue those responsible, and bring them to justice,” said Juan A. Vargas, Inspector In Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “The outcome of this case should serve as a significant deterrent for anyone else considering the distribution of illicit drugs through the U.S. Mail. I want to thank our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.”
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