Organizer For Multiple Drug Cartels Sentenced To Over 24 Years In Federal Prison

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday today sentenced Gabino Peralta-Saucedo (43, Bradenton) to 24 years and 4 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and a quantity of heroin. Peralta-Saucedo had pleaded guilty on December 14, 2018.

According to court documents, for over a decade, Peralta-Saucedo coordinated the smuggling of thousands of kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Mexico. More than 12,000 kilograms of cocaine were ultimately sold in and around Manatee County on behalf of various Mexican drug cartels, including La Familia Michoacána and Los Caballeros Templarios. Peralta-Saucedo also cooperated with other Mexican drug cartels including, the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas, in order to get drugs across the border into the United States. In addition, coconspirators possessed and distributed heroin in the Tampa Bay area.

This case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Attaché’s Office in Mexico City assisted with the extradition process. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.