The former mayor of Progreso, Gerardo Alanis, has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for his involvement in a cocaine distribution conspiracy. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Alanis pleaded guilty earlier this year and will serve 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He is also required to pay a $15,000 fine.
During the sentencing hearing, evidence was presented showing that a school building was used to store and repackage cocaine. Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr., who presided over the case, highlighted the use of school property as an aggravating factor in determining the sentence.
"It is unthinkable that a public official would allow a school of all places to be used as a storehouse for cocaine," said Ganjei. "The facts of this case demonstrate how the drug trade affects all facets of a community, not just law enforcement."
From 2020 to 2022, conspirators smuggled kilograms of cocaine from Mexico into the United States, where it was concealed in hidden compartments within 18-wheelers and transported to states including Illinois, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Several others involved in the scheme have already been sentenced. Francisco Alanis received 150 months; Eulalio Sierra got 120 months; Jose Salas was sentenced to 47 months; Ralph Lozano received time served; David Gomez-Ramos will serve 139 months; Juan Pablo Serrata received 70 months; and Gregorio Salinas got 37 months. Some individuals are expected to face removal proceedings after completing their sentences.
Alanis remains on bond but will surrender voluntarily soon.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration and Texas Rangers. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt and former AUSA Alejandra Andrade.
This investigation is part of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces program which aims to dismantle high-level criminal organizations through a multi-agency approach.
