Omar Cuenca-Marino, 41, the alleged leader of the Los Rojos Mexican Drug Cartel, has been extradited to Georgia and arraigned on federal charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering.
Cuenca-Marino was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2016 and faces charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and unlawful import of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering.
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“This prosecution sends a strong message to the cartels and their leadership, no matter where they reside: you will face justice,” said Acting United States Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr.
According to the indictment, Cuenca-Marino oversaw the production of massive quantities of drugs in Mexico and arranged for their smuggling into the United States between 2013 and 2016. He also allegedly directed the collection of millions of dollars in drug proceeds for transport back to Mexico.
“The arrest and extradition of Omar Cuenca-Marino, the alleged Los Rojos cartel leader, marks a significant success for the ongoing U.S. efforts to dismantle drug trafficking cartels and secure our borders,” said Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta, which covers Georgia and Alabama. “As part of our commitment to combating the opioid crisis and transnational crime, we are leveraging every available resource to disrupt cross-border criminal operations. This case sends a clear message that we, alongside our law enforcement partners, will not tolerate those who seek to profit from the distribution of dangerous narcotics.”
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The investigation revealed specific instances of Cuenca-Marino’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking:
- October 2013: A law enforcement operation in Georgia seized approximately 75 kilograms of methamphetamine, 23 kilograms of heroin, and 47 kilograms of cocaine, allegedly smuggled into the U.S. under Cuenca-Marino’s direction.
- November 2015: Law enforcement seized 76 packages of cocaine from a vehicle in Georgia. Cuenca-Marino allegedly provided the contact information for the Atlanta-based trafficker involved.
- February 2016: $425,900 in drug proceeds was seized from a vehicle en route to Mexico. The driver allegedly contacted Cuenca-Marino to report the seizure.
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