Mocobizscene- Two brothers from Southern California who operated a heroin delivery service have each been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison after taking orders from customers using code words like “taco,” according to prosecutors.
Julio Cesar Martinez, a 45-year-old resident of Riverside, and Victor Martinez, a 46-year-old resident of Hemet, which are both located in California’s expansive Inland Empire, received their sentences on Monday. In August, both individuals pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to the distribution of heroin. They also admitted to distributing a minimum of 29 kilograms (64 pounds) of the illicit drug in Orange County, as per a statement provided by the U.S. attorney’s office.
A ring, in operation from September 2003 to July 2021, was involved in the sale of heroin. The drug was smuggled into the United States from Mexico by couriers, who occasionally concealed it in their body cavities, as stated by the U.S. attorney’s office.
Call centers operating from the comfort of workers’ homes facilitated drug transactions by using Mexican food names as code words. According to authorities, a gram of heroin was referred to as a “taco,” while an ounce (equivalent to slightly over 28 grams) was called an “enchilada.”
The runners were responsible for delivering the order and collecting payment from customers. In 2016, a tragic incident occurred in Orange County where a customer lost their life due to an overdose of heroin and other drugs, as revealed by prosecutors.
According to prosecutors, the remaining participants in the scheme opted to deposit the funds in various bank accounts, with each deposit amounting to $10,000 or less. This tactic was employed in order to avoid triggering the mandatory reporting requirements imposed by federal authorities.
According to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, these two brothers elevated the drug dealing game by running a heroin-delivery service that capitalized on the suffering and addiction of others. Despite their luxurious lifestyles, they turned a blind eye to the devastation they caused in the community. This sentence serves as a strong statement that misconduct like theirs will not be tolerated.
As part of a five-year federal operation called “Operation Horse Caller,” the authorities targeted the brothers and over a dozen other individuals in an effort to dismantle the ring.
According to prosecutors, the initiative has resulted in the conviction of sixteen individuals.
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