A former daycare director from Laredo, Texas, has been sentenced for her involvement in a large-scale cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Cynthia Elizabeth Arellano, 34, received a 45-month prison sentence followed by four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.
U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison delivered the sentence following a hearing where it was revealed that Arellano used her home as a stash house for approximately 245 kilograms of cocaine and $428,411 in drug proceeds. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei commented on the case: “Drugs and violence often go together, so the idea of using your home where your three-year-old daughter lives, as a stash house, is incredibly dangerous and irresponsible.”
The investigation found that Cristian Jareth Flores arranged the sale of one kilogram of cocaine for $14,000 in April 2024. Juan Antonio Ochoa-Saucedo delivered the drugs during an undercover operation at a local retail establishment after picking up the cocaine from Arellano's residence.
A search warrant executed at Arellano’s home uncovered two money counters and drug ledgers detailing extensive cocaine trafficking activities involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds. At her plea hearing, Arellano admitted to committing the crime due to financial need.
Flores and Ochoa-Saucedo also pleaded guilty for their roles in the conspiracy and were sentenced to 36 and 57 months in prison respectively.
Arellano will remain on bond until she surrenders to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with assistance from the Laredo Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Leslie Ann Cortez is prosecuting the case.
