Prolific Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Almost 22 Years in Prison and Ordered to Forfeit $280 million

SAN DIEGO –Narcotrafficker Raul Flores Hernandez was sentenced in federal court today to 262 months in prison for moving hundreds of millions of dollars worth of cocaine into the United States over more than three decades. He was also ordered to forfeit $280 million in drug proceeds.

According to court documents, Flores Hernandez was a leader of a prolific drug trafficking organization that worked closely with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman of the Sinaloa Cartel and Hector Beltran of the Beltran Leyva Organization. He utilized his connections with suppliers in South America and corrupt government employees to transport hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine into Mexico for importation into the United States.

“It may be impossible to quantify the destruction wrought by this defendant channeling vast quantities of cocaine across the globe,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “One thing is certain - the world is far safer with this sentence.”

“DEA and our partners will continue to hold drug traffickers, like Mr. Flores, responsible for their actions,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Shelly Howe. We are steadfast in our commitment to reduce addiction, prosecute criminals, and make our communities safer.”

“Today’s sentencing is the culmination of years of relentless work by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and its partners targeting the Sinaloa Cartel,” said HSI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “This investigation highlights HSI’s dedication to go after cartel members importing dangerous drugs into our communities. This substantial sentence not only holds Mr. Hernandez accountable but also sends a resounding message that transnational criminal organizations are being continuously investigated and their leaders will be brought to justice.”

During more than three decades as a narcotrafficker, Flores was closely aligned with the leaders of some of the most violent drug cartels, including. In addition to leveraging his relationships with cartel bosses, Flores benefited from corrupt government employees who facilitated Flores’s drug trafficking activities in exchange for bribes.

This prosecution was a joint effort between the Southern District of California and the Department of Justice Criminal Division Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Section.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Martin for the Southern District of California, Acting Assistant Deputy Chief Melanie L. Alsworth and Trial Attorneys Kirk Handrich and Jonathan Hornok of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section prosecuted the case.

DEFENDANTS                                                               Case Number 17-CR-51 (BAH) (District of D.C.)
Raul Flores Hernandez                                                   Age: 74                                                     Mexico

SUMMARY OF CHARGES
International Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 959, 960, 963
Maximum penalty: Life in Prison

AGENCY
Homeland Security Investigations
Drug Enforcement Administration
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.