Damien Diggs U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas
A former Guatemalan congressman has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for his involvement in an international drug trafficking conspiracy. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. of the Eastern District of Texas.
Jose Armando Ubico Aguilar, aged 45, pleaded guilty to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy and received a sentence of 216 months from U.S. District Judge Michael Truncale on February 11, 2025.
Court documents revealed that Ubico Aguilar served as an elected member of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala from 2016 to 2024. He held the position of Deputy and was President of the National Defense Committee from 2018 to 2023.
Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr., stated: “The sentencing of this corrupt Guatemalan official who brokered and facilitated cocaine shipments into the United States while betraying his country through his partnerships with known drug traffickers and other corrupt officials shows the commitment of the Eastern District of Texas United States Attorney’s Office to identify, disrupt, and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations.” He expressed gratitude towards law enforcement partners for ensuring Ubico Aguilar's accountability.
Dallas DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez remarked: “The sentencing of this corrupt official who brokered and facilitated cocaine shipments into the United States sends a message to Transnational Criminal Organizations across the world that they will be held responsible for the poison they distribute into the United States.” Chávez emphasized ongoing efforts with international counterparts against greed, violence, and public corruption.
Ubico Aguilar was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 3, 2021, on charges related to federal drug trafficking violations. In May 2024, he arrived in the United States and admitted guilt during his plea hearing. He acknowledged relaying drug-related information and U.S. currency to another Guatemalan official on behalf of an international trafficker. These actions enabled at least 450 kilograms of cocaine to pass through Guatemala for distribution in the United States.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying and dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States using a multi-agency approach led by prosecutors.
Investigations were conducted by multiple agencies including North Texas OCDETF Strike Force Group Two; DEA’s Dallas Division; DEA’s Guatemala City Country Office; FBI’s Dallas Field Office; Homeland Security Investigation’s Dallas and Guatemala Field Offices; U.S. Marshals Service’s Dallas Field Office; Customs and Border Protection’s San Diego Field Office; along with significant assistance from Justice Department's International Affairs Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Eason prosecuted this case.
