KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Two defendants convicted for their roles in a $28 million drug trafficking conspiracy have been sentenced to federal prison, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Monday.
Victor Hernandez-Delgado, 60, of Kansas City, Mo., was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison, and Jorge Cisneros-Saucedo, 41, of Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced to 120 months.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. In their pleas, they admitted they were part of a drug trafficking organization that in October 2010 became the target of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Investigators worked to identify both suppliers and 46 co-defendants involved with the organization. As the investigation broadened, it came to include the distribution of more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana as well.
The investigation yielded the seizure and forfeiture of more than $2 million in cash, 194 firearms, 29 vehicles, 26 kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of crack.
It was also admitted in the pleas that Cisneros-Saucedo had supplied drugs to Hernandez-Delgado. On Aug. 21, 2011, investigators intercepted a call between the two men in which they discussed the fact Cisneros-Saucedo had only nine ounces of cocaine left. Two days later, investigators intercepted a call in which the two men arranged to meet for a drug deal.
In addition to the initial drug exchange, investigators intercepted several calls where Cisneros-Saucedo attempted to obtain, and arrange transportation for, significant amounts of cocaine on numerous occasions. He also revealed to a co-defendant that he had changed his phone number approximately 10 times to avoid detection by law enforcement.
Grissom commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead for their work on this case.
