A Houston man, Cyrus Boujabadi, was sentenced on April 3 to 20 years in federal prison for his role in distributing multiple narcotics and engaging in money laundering, according to Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Boujabadi pleaded guilty on June 6, 2025, to possessing MDMA with intent to distribute and conducting a monetary transaction involving criminally derived property. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat organized drug trafficking operations.
U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. ordered Boujabadi to serve a total of 240 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release and imposed a $5,000 fine. The court found that Boujabadi acted as an organizer who insulated himself from law enforcement by using couriers and used his residence for drug distribution. Evidence also showed he engaged in drug trafficking as a livelihood and possessed a firearm related to the enterprise.
Between January 2019 and July 2023, Boujabadi conspired with others to distribute various controlled substances including MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, and DMT. He coordinated transactions through messaging applications and accepted payments via cash or electronic transfers. A search of his residence resulted in the seizure of drugs such as methamphetamine tablets, Xanax pills, marijuana products including THC oils and edibles, psilocybin mushrooms as well as cash and cryptocurrency assets tied to the operation's proceeds.
Boujabadi deposited illicit funds into accounts under his control which were used for personal enrichment—including purchasing properties in Tennessee that have since been forfeited. Five other individuals have also been convicted and sentenced in connection with this conspiracy.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159 aimed at dismantling criminal cartels operating within the United States. HSTF Houston includes agents from several federal and local agencies working alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading prosecution efforts.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas has included notable figures such as Alamdar Hamdani and Ryan Patrick among its former leaders according to the official history page. Its offices are located across Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville as described on its official website. Serving under the Attorney General within the Department of Justice according to its official website, it employs more than 200 attorneys covering over nine million residents across forty-three counties as detailed on its official website. The office prosecutes federal crimes while handling civil cases for government interests according to its official website. Leadership has included Alamdar Hamdani serving from 2022 until last year as noted on its official history page.
