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Date: 01-10-2020

Case Style:

United States of America v. Jorge Costilla-Sanchez

Case Number: 1:19-cr-00739

Judge: Fernando Rodriguez Jr.

Court: United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas (Cameron County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Cole Radovich, Kirk Handrich and Jody Young

Defendant's Attorney:


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Description: Brownsville, TX - The United States of America charged Jorge Costilla-Sanchez with drug trafficking.

Costilla-Sanchez, 48, was an active member of the “Cartel Del Golfo” (CDG or Gulf Cartel). CDG is a violent Mexican criminal organization engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and importation of ton quantities of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. In the late 1990s, the Gulf Cartel recruited an elite group of former Mexican military personnel to join their ranks as security and enforcers who became known as Los Zetas. The Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas operated under the name of “The Company.” Costilla-Sanchez became the leader of The Company for several years following the arrest of Osiel Cardenas in 2003 and before Costilla-Sanchez’s arrest in September 2012.

During his association with The Company, Costilla-Sanchez was responsible for overseeing all operations and providing leadership that resulted in the importation of thousands of kilograms of cocaine and marijuana into the United States. Under Costilla-Sanchez’s leadership, The Company controlled numerous plazas along the United States and Mexico border including Matamoros, Rio Bravo, Reynosa, Miguel Aleman and Nuevo Laredo. Costilla-Sanchez used these strategically important locations to distribute cocaine and marijuana into the United States and to return bulk U.S. currency to himself and other members of CDG in Mexico.

During the course of his involvement in the conspiracy, law enforcement in Mexico and Panama seized ton quantities of cocaine that were intended for Costilla-Sanchez and other members of CDG to distribute in Mexico and the United States. Specifically, on Oct. 5, 2007, Mexican law enforcement seized 11,700 kilograms of cocaine from a warehouse in Tampico, Mexico, and on Nov. 30, 2007, the Panamanian National Police seized approximately 2,400 kilograms of cocaine in Colon, Panama.

The Defendant oversaw a vast network of other individuals including local plaza bosses, drug couriers, security personnel, scouts, hitmen and others to facilitate The Company’s drug trafficking operations. In the performance of his duties for The Company, the Defendant and others under his charge possessed and used dangerous weapons, including firearms. Further, the Defendant organized, directed, and carried out numerous acts of violence against rival drug trafficking groups, Mexican law enforcement and others who The Company perceived as threats to their drug trafficking activities.

During his guilty plea today, Costilla-Sanchez acknowledged his participation in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 450 kilograms of cocaine and over 90,000 kilograms of marijuana.

Costilla-Sanchez’s sentencing has been set for April 14, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. At that time Costilla-Sanchez faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.

The Drug Enforcement Administration - Houston Field Division conducted the investigation.


Charges:


Ct. 1ssss: 21:959, 960, 963; MANUFACTURE/DISTRIBUTE FOR ILLEGAL IMPORTATION - NARCOTICS; Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine and 1,000 Kilograms or More of Marijuana for Importation into the United States.
(1)
Ct. 2ssss: 21:959, 960, 963 and 18:2; MANUFACTURE/DISTRIBUTE FOR ILLEGAL IMPORTATION - NARCOTICS; Attempted Distribution of Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine for Importation into the United States and Aiding and Abetting.
(2)
Ct. 3ssss: 21:959, 960, 963 and 18:2; MANUFACTURE/DISTRIBUTE FOR ILLEGAL IMPORTATION - NARCOTICS; Attempted Distribution of Five Kilograms or More of Cocaine for Importation into the United States and Aiding and Abetting.
(3)

Outcome: 01/09/2020 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr: Appearances: Jody L Young and Kirk Handrich, AUSA's f/Govt; Edmund K Cyganiewicz, f/Deft; (Court Reporter: Sheila Perales) (Interpreter: Jennifer Ortiz) (USPO: Anette Escamilla) [Court time: 10:40-11:08]. RE-ARRAIGNMENT held on 1/9/2020 as to Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez (1). Defendant was sworn in. Defendant entered a PLEA OF GUILTY to COUNT ONE of the Fourth Superseding Indictment. The Defendant entered a COLD PLEA. PSI deadlines and Sentencing date were orally given to all parties. Terminated other settings and motions for Defendant. Sentencing set for 4/14/2020 at 08:30 AM in Courtroom 6 before Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. Defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal. (balvina, 1) (Entered: 01/09/2020)
01/09/2020 **Terminate Deadlines and Hearings as to Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez: (balvina, 1) (Entered: 01/09/2020)
01/09/2020 8 ORDER for Presentence Investigation and Disclosure & Sentencing Dates as to Jorge Eduardo Costilla-Sanchez. PSI Completion due by 2/24/2020 Objection to PSI due by 3/9/2020 Final PSI due by 3/23/2020 Sentencing set for 4/14/2020 at 08:30 AM in Courtroom 6 before Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr ( Signed by Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr) Parties notified. (balvina, 1) (Entered: 01/09/2020)

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