Four Orlando-area residents have pleaded guilty for their roles in a significant drug distribution conspiracy involving approximately 89 kilograms of cocaine.
The defendants—Israel Miranda (36, Kissimmee), Abiezer Laboy-Lozada (36, Orlando), Jorge Antonio Gonzalez de la Fuente (31, St. Cloud), and Carlos Antonio Garcia Garcia (35, Kissimmee)—admitted to conspiring to distribute large quantities of cocaine.
- Israel Miranda and Abiezer Laboy-Lozada each face a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.
- Jorge Antonio Gonzalez de la Fuente and Carlos Antonio Garcia Garcia each face a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison.
- The defendants have also forfeited $464,031 in cash seized during the investigation.
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According to plea agreements, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identified the group in 2022 as part of an organized operation distributing cocaine and managing the proceeds from drug sales.
- May 1, 2023: Miranda distributed drugs to Laboy-Lozada in a parking lot. During similar exchanges, Laboy-Lozada obtained between 20-30 kilograms of cocaine from Miranda.
- October 4, 2023: Miranda delivered a shoebox containing a kilogram of cocaine to Gonzalez de la Fuente, who passed it to Garcia Garcia. Law enforcement intercepted Garcia Garcia and recovered the drugs during a vehicle stop.
Over the course of the conspiracy, Gonzalez de la Fuente reportedly met with co-conspirators two or three times a month, facilitating the distribution of 15-50 kilograms of cocaine. Despite facing charges, Gonzalez de la Fuente continued to engage in drug trafficking until detained.
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- On October 13, 2023, Miranda was found to be delivering $262,257 in drug proceeds concealed in a brown paper bag. He texted a conspirator an image of cash stacks with the message, “should be 110k.”
- Additional enforcement actions led to the seizure of:
- $51,989 from Miranda on November 7, 2023.
- $149,785 from Miranda on March 6, 2024.
Over the duration of the investigation, law enforcement linked the group to the distribution of more than 89 kilograms of cocaine. Miranda has agreed to forfeit all cash seized as part of the case.
This case was the result of a multi-agency investigation involving the DEA, Florida Highway Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill is prosecuting the case.
The arrests and guilty pleas highlight a significant effort by law enforcement to dismantle a major drug trafficking network in Central Florida. Sentencing dates for the defendants have not yet been announced.
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