A man who was one of the people arrested in “Operation Lake Effect” pleaded guilty yesterday to violating the federal “Kingpin” statute for operating a continuing criminal enterprise and for money laundering.
Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced that 55-year-old Marcos Monarrez-Mendoza, a Mexican national illegally living in Arizona, was among 35 people charged in connection with a drug ring that brough fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine between September and November of 2022. Additionally, he provided over $100,000 in proceeds from the drug sales to couriers who smuggled the money into Mexico to promote the drug trafficking operation he co-lead with his son Marcos Monarrez, Jr.
Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan scheduled his sentencing hearing for December 5th. He faces 20 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $2 million or both.
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