Seven members of the Partido Revolucionario Mexicano were handed lengthy sentences in a federal court in Del Rio for their involvement in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Victor Hinojosa, Martha Gonzalez Ritchie, Jesus Espinoza, Francisco Espinoza, Ernesto Magdaleno, Armando Ramirez, and Danny Suarez—all from Eagle Pass—were convicted of operating a drug distribution network, with prison terms ranging from 12 to 30 years, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The PRM gang's activities were exposed through court documents, revealing a scheme to move cocaine across Eagle Pass and Del Rio. According to information provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Hinojosa was pinpointed as a sergeant within the group, conspiring to distribute cocaine by using social media platforms and cellular communications starting March 1, 2019, up until June 1, 2021. The DEA employed multiple controlled purchases to build their case against the defendants, who were all arrested on June 11, 2021.
Each of the accused faced justice for their crimes with Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses administering their sentences on June 5 and June 13. Hinojosa and Gonzalez Ritchie received one of the stiffer sentences, both getting 30 years behind bars. Jesus and Francisco Espinoza received 17 ½ and 19 ½ years, respectively. Magdaleno and Ramirez were each sentenced to 14 years, while Suarez got a 12-year term. U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons was quoted regarding the case, "This criminal conspiracy extends way beyond the bounds of narcotics distribution," signifying the serious threat such organizations pose to public safety, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The investigatory efforts of Operation Tequila Sunset, led by the DEA and FBI, were supported by multiple law enforcement agencies, demonstrating a collaborative approach to confronting narcotics distribution and the crime that so often accompanies it. The Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner took the charge in prosecuting the case, which forms part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative purported to safeguard communities from the operations of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Remaining co-defendants are still to receive their sentences as the justice system continues to process the individuals involved in the conspiracy. Carlos Eduardo Saldana Jr., Kevin Ritchie, Clinton Ritchie, and Carlos Daniel Rodriguez-Urrabazo were sentenced previously with tenures ranging from 7 to 35 years, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. The outcome of these ongoing cases aims to reflect federal authorities' commitments to neutralizing such threats and ensuring the safety of border communities.
