A California woman, Christina Lua, received a sentence of 12 months and one day in prison for her role in a money laundering scheme linked to methamphetamine and marijuana distribution in Boston. Lua, 51, of Santa Rosa, California, admitted to laundering over $200,000 of her husband’s drug profits.
The investigation into the drug ring led to significant seizures, including over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, an AK-47, a Glock without a serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition. A marijuana cultivation operation with hundreds of plants was also shut down.
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Lua was initially charged in a superseding indictment in September 2021, along with four others, for money laundering conspiracy. The indictment also charged a total of 11 individuals in connection with a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy.
Investigators identified Lua’s husband, Reshat Alkayisi, as a major methamphetamine trafficker in the Boston area in late 2020. Lua helped Alkayisi launder his drug proceeds through various methods, including purchasing vehicles with cash and making cash deposits in amounts under $10,000 to avoid detection.
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Lua is the third defendant to be sentenced in this case. The remaining eight defendants have pleaded guilty and are currently awaiting sentencing.
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