A 29-year-old Dallas man was sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison for helping his brother in Allen lead a North Texas distribution cell that smuggled cocaine for the Mexican Gulf cartel.
Lazaro Fernando Rodriguez pleaded guilty in March 2009 to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. He was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater.
Lazaro Rodriguez and his brother, 35-year-old Hector Omero Rodriguez of Allen, were the lead defendants alongside 20 other locals arrested in September 2008 as part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s “Project Reckoning” targeting the Gulf cartel. Hector Rodriguez was sentenced to 20 years in prison in October.
Authorities say the house on Peavy Road in Dallas where Lazaro Rodriguez was living was one of the organization’s stash locations. The house was also used to prepare drug proceeds for shipment to Mexico.
When Lazaro Rodriguez was arrested on Sept, 16, 2008, agents found more than six pounds of cocaine stashed behind the stove, $10,000 in cash hidden behind a dresser and numerous firearms in the house.
