Ryan K. Buchanan, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Omar Cuenca-Marino, a 41-year-old from Guerrero, Mexico, has been arraigned in Atlanta on federal charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering. The charges were brought before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard. Cuenca-Marino is accused of leading the Los Rojos Mexican Drug Cartel and was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2016.
Acting United States Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr., emphasized the collaborative effort that led to Cuenca-Marino's extradition: "Robust law enforcement partnerships, tenacious investigators, and a resilient determination to eliminate cartels that import deadly drugs into our communities culminated in the charges and recent extradition of this alleged drug cartel leader."
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta, stated that Cuenca-Marino's arrest represents a significant step in U.S. efforts against drug cartels: "The arrest and extradition of Omar Cuenca-Marino, the alleged Los Rojos cartel leader, marks a significant success for the ongoing U.S. efforts to dismantle drug trafficking cartels and secure our borders."
Jae W. Chung from the DEA Atlanta Division highlighted their commitment to tackling drug distribution networks: "The success of this investigation demonstrates DEA will use all of its resources to destroy drug distribution networks that are endangering our communities."
Demetrius Hardeman from IRS Criminal Investigation noted the role of financial investigations in combating drug cartels: "Drug cartels have caused the death of many people in the United States and Mexico through violence and the distribution of illegal drugs."
The investigation identified Cuenca-Marino as overseeing substantial quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine being smuggled into the U.S., with proceeds allegedly funneled back to Mexico.
Several specific operations were mentioned during court proceedings:
- In October 2013, law enforcement seized significant amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine in Georgia.
- In November 2015, packages of cocaine were confiscated from a vehicle in Duluth, Georgia.
- In February 2016, $425,900 believed to be drug proceeds was found during a traffic stop in Missouri.
Authorities remind the public that these charges are accusations; Cuenca-Marino is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative involving multiple agencies working together on major operations against criminal organizations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Herskowitz leads prosecution efforts with support from various agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS CI), among others.
For more information about this case or related inquiries contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or call (404) 581-6280.
