https://www.tampafp.com/california-woman-pleads-guilty-to-money-laundering-with-her-husband-in-boston/

A California woman pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Boston to her role in a money laundering conspiracy involving proceeds of methamphetamine and marijuana distribution.

The woman assisted her husband in laundering drug proceeds in Boston.

In total, over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition were seized during the investigation.

An illegal marijuana grow operation with hundreds of marijuana plants was also dismantled.

Two co-defendants, Reshat Alkayisi and Andre Watson, recently pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, 2024, and July 16, 2024, respectively.

Christina Lua, 50, of Santa Rosa, Cali., pleaded guilty to one count of a second superseding indictment charging her with money laundering conspiracy. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for July 12, 2024.

Lua was originally charged with money laundering conspiracy in September 2021, along with four others, in a superseding indictment. The indictment charged 11 defendants. In addition to the money laundering conspiracy, other defendants were charged with controlled substance and firearm offenses.

In approximately October 2020, investigators received information about the drug trafficking activities of a large-scale methamphetamine supplier in the Boston area.

In late 2020, investigators identified Alkayisi as a large-scale methamphetamine trafficker who distributed multi-pound quantities to customers throughout the New England area.

Lua was identified as Alkayisi’s wife, who assisted Alkayisi in laundering his drug proceeds, including by purchasing vehicles with cash drug proceeds and by depositing cash drug proceeds in amounts less than $10,000 so as to conceal the nature of the funds and avoiding reporting requirements.   

Lua is the ninth defendant to plead guilty. The two remaining defendants are scheduled to plead guilty.