Tijuana man pleads responsible in San Diego to laundering tens of millions in drug cash

A Tijuana man whom prosecutors say ran a enterprise that laundered tens of millions in drug proceeds was sentenced in San Diego federal courtroom Friday to a few years and 4 months in jail.

Jesus Vazquez Padilla, 47, led  “an unlawful unlicensed cash transmission enterprise” that the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace says deposited over $42 million in illicit funds into U.S. banks.

Prosecutors say round 95% of that cash was then transferred to third- social gathering financial institution accounts in Mexico, whereas the remaining 5% represented charges for Vazquez Padilla’s enterprise. The operation concerned utilizing 22 shell companies and 85 company financial institution accounts with a purpose to launder the ill-gotten funds, the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned.

Two San Diego males have additionally been sentenced for his or her roles in Vazquez Padilla’s enterprise.

Jose Gonzalez, 52, helped Vazquez Padilla open 11 shell companies and in addition filed tax returns containing false deductions for many of these companies. Gonzalez was sentenced to 30 months in jail.

Juan Medina, 42, helped the enterprise open financial institution accounts for the shell companies. Medina was sentenced to simply over one 12 months in jail.

Vazquez Padilla’s sister, Monica Vazquez, is one other alleged co- conspirator and he or she stays at giant, the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace mentioned.