Posted: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 2:19 pm

http://www.nogalesinternational.com/news/nogales-couple-sentenced-for-pot-shipping-money-laundering-conspiracy/article_b53f34dc-f95d-11e2-87dc-001a4bcf887a.html

A Nogales couple accused of leading a conspiracy to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and launder drug money were sentenced Monday to more than 10 years in federal prison.

Jose Valenzuela, 59, and Beatriz Valenzuela, 56, were sentenced to 137 months and 125 months in prison, respectively, by a federal judge in Maryland, according to a news release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Each sentence will be followed by five years of supervised release.

The Valenzuelas also forfeited bank accounts worth $1.26 million and $970,000 in cash.

According to the Valenzuelas’ plea agreements, between June 6, 2011 and July 9, 2012, the couple used their package-shipping businesses in Arizona to send marijuana to Maryland in return for cash proceeds. Arizona Corporation Commission records showed the Valenzuelas owned Fast Mail Inc. and Everyday Mail in Nogales; the Postal Center in Rio Rico; and Express It ‘N Ship It in Sahuarita.

On July 11, 2012, agents from ICE Homeland Security Investigations executed search warrants at the Valenzuelas’ home and businesses, the agency said. They reportedly recovered $970,000 in cash from the home and more than 750 pounds of marijuana from the businesses.

According to their plea agreements, in order to evade IRS filing requirements for transactions involving more than $10,000 in cash, and conceal from the government large cash transactions by drug dealers, Jose and Beatriz Valenzuela arranged for conspirators to deposit the proceeds of the conspiracy into bank accounts they controlled, with each transaction being less than $10,000. Some of those accounts were in the names of third parties.

Six co-defendants from Maryland have also accepted plea agreements in the case and are awaiting sentencing. Jane Nkemateh, 29, of New Carrollton, Md., also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to forfeit bank accounts worth $1.26 million.