LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. – Raymond Montanez, 42, Land O’ Lakes, has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one count of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Each count carries a minimum mandatory term of 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to court documents, beginning at an unknown time and continuing through May 11, 2023, Montanez conspired with others to distribute cocaine and possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it.
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Montanez imported the cocaine through the mail and sold it in central Florida.
On March 17, 2023, Montanez sold 209 grams of a substance to an undercover officer.
Then, on April 13, 2023, Montanez sold approximately 200 grams of a substance to an undercover officer. Eleven days later, agents observed Montanez travel to Jupiter, Florida, where he met with a co-conspirator and retrieved a package containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine.
After confirming Montanez was the sole occupant of the vehicle, a traffic stop was conducted, and the cocaine was seized.
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A lab analysis by the Drug Enforcement Administration later confirmed that the seized substance was cocaine weighing 999.1 grams.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Tampa Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol investigated this case.
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