Vanessa Velez and Felix Mendez, both from New York City, were sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to possess and distribute approximately 40 kilograms of cocaine. The sentencing took place before United States District Judge Timothy J. Savage in Philadelphia.
Velez received a sentence of 48 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and was ordered to forfeit $325,000. Mendez was sentenced to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and must also forfeit $325,000.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the two defendants were indicted in January and pleaded guilty in August to charges related to conspiracy and attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
Court documents show that Velez and Mendez traveled together from New York to Philadelphia carrying about $325,000 in cash inside a duffel bag. On October 29, 2024, they met at a parking lot in South Philadelphia where they exchanged the cash-filled bag for two other bags they believed contained cocaine. After leaving the scene by car, Philadelphia police stopped them near 59 E. Oregon Avenue. Both were detained and officers recovered two bags containing sham kilograms of cocaine.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Philadelphia Police Department under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Diviny prosecuted the case.
United States Attorney David Metcalf stated: “This office will continue its efforts with law enforcement partners to disrupt drug trafficking organizations seeking to profit from illegal narcotics.”
