CHICAGO — A Guadalajara-based Mexican national has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for laundering over $5.5 million in drug money across the United States and funneling the proceeds back to Mexico.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jose Manuel Martinez Gomez, 52, known by the alias “Meno,” operated as a money broker — collecting and disguising illegal narcotics profits from drug traffickers across the country. Martinez was sentenced to 8 years and 4 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Drug Profits Disguised Through Cryptocurrency and Cash
Court documents revealed that Martinez Gomez coordinated the collection of drug proceeds from various U.S. cities. He then converted those proceeds into cryptocurrency or structured cash movements, effectively cleaning the money and repatriating it to drug trafficking organizations in Mexico.
In exchange for his role, Martinez earned a commission percentage from each transfer.
The DOJ stated that Martinez “served as a financial lifeline” for traffickers, enabling them to continue distributing narcotics across the U.S.
Multi-State Investigation Yields Major Seizures
The successful prosecution resulted from a multi-agency investigation led by the DEA’s Lexington Field Office, with support from field divisions in Detroit, Mexico, and other U.S. jurisdictions.
The broader enforcement effort resulted in:
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3 kilograms of fentanyl
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52+ kilograms of cocaine
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Significant quantities of methamphetamine
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And over $1 million in drug proceeds seized
Officials said the case demonstrates the reach of U.S. enforcement across both state lines and international borders, especially when targeting drug trafficking infrastructure.
Case Prosecuted by Federal Financial Crimes Unit
The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Elizabeth R. Rabe from the Justice Department’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, alongside Deputy Criminal Chief Gary Todd Bradbury of the Eastern District of Kentucky.
“By dismantling the financial wing of drug trafficking, we’re not just punishing individuals — we’re weakening the whole network,” said a DEA spokesperson.
Local Impact: Illinois Tied to Larger Drug Corridors
While the defendant operated out of Guadalajara, the drug proceeds flowed through multiple U.S. cities — including those linked to Midwest distribution routes. Chicago remains a major hub in national trafficking operations, with law enforcement continuously working to intercept both narcotics and the money that fuels them.
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