An individual from Guatemala has been sentenced to 14 years in a U.S. federal court for leading a cocaine trafficking operation that brought over 1,000 pounds of the drug into the United States. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
"This sentencing sends the message that those who traffic dangerous drugs into our country will be held accountable," stated ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. He emphasized the importance of domestic and international law enforcement partnerships in disrupting significant drug trafficking networks.
Arnoldo Oswaldo Vargas-Samayoa, aged 50, surrendered to U.S. authorities at Los Angeles International Airport in June 2024 and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to cocaine importation filed in January 2020.
U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo remarked on Vargas-Samayoa's role as a "manager of a very extensive international drug ring" during sentencing, highlighting his deliberate involvement rather than any accidental participation.
Vargas admitted sourcing cocaine from Guatemalan suppliers and coordinating its delivery to a trafficker based in Mexico. The drugs were concealed in vehicles and smuggled through Southern California and Texas ports of entry into the United States. Communications intercepted by law enforcement revealed Vargas confirmed successful smuggling operations with his accomplice while receiving $1,000 per kilogram delivered.
"Cocaine continues to be a dangerous and highly addictive drug with devastating consequences for individuals and communities," said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, reinforcing the commitment to dismantling supply chains from cartel leaders to street-level dealers.
The investigation led to multiple convictions of couriers associated with this trafficking organization, alongside significant seizures including over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, more than $2 million in cash, and firearms.
Vargas' father, Arnoldo Vargas Estrada, previously served as mayor of Zacapa, Guatemala before being convicted on narcotics-related charges in New York during the early 1990s. Released from custody in 2017 after serving his sentence, he returned to Guatemala where he was reelected as mayor until 2024.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America under the Department of Justice's initiative against illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. It involves collaboration between various law enforcement agencies through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program aimed at dismantling high-level trafficking operations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Casper is prosecuting this case.
