Roberto Lopez, also known as Shrek and NWA, appeared in federal court in Atlanta after being extradited from Mexico to face charges related to cocaine importation, distribution, and money laundering. Lopez is accused of playing a significant role in trafficking weapons and managing a cocaine smuggling network for leaders of the Sinaloa and Beltran-Leyva cartels.
“Lopez allegedly moved tons of cocaine and millions of dollars through Atlanta and other cities while supplying machineguns and other tools of war to fuel cartel bloodshed in Mexico,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Though it took years to find and arrest him, he will now finally be held accountable for his crimes.”
“This violent cartel member is part of a ruthless criminal network that profits from drugs, guns, and bloodshed,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “DEA will not stop until every member of these organizations is taken off of our streets.”
According to information presented by prosecutors, Edgar Valdez-Villareal (known as La Barbie) served as an enforcer for the Sinaloa and Beltran-Leyva Cartels during their conflict with rival groups such as the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas. Alongside U.S.-based trucking businessman Carlos Montemayor, Valdez operated a drug distribution system that sent up to 300 kilograms of cocaine weekly to cities including Atlanta and Memphis; cash proceeds were returned to Mexico in shipments sometimes exceeding $1 million per load. Over six months, 1,500 kilograms were distributed in Atlanta alone.
Valdez was sentenced by a federal judge in 2018 to over 49 years in prison followed by supervised release; Montemayor received more than 34 years plus supervised release in 2019.
Authorities allege Lopez acted as primary lieutenant for Valdez’s operation—overseeing logistics such as payments for truck drivers, stash house operators, repackaging money for transport across borders, procuring high-powered firearms and equipment within the United States before smuggling them into Mexico. He is alleged to have converted rifles into fully automatic weapons and manufactured silencers; estimates suggest he trafficked over 1,000 rifles along with hundreds of magazines into Mexico.
Lopez is also accused of distributing video evidence relating to an assassination ordered by cartel leadership.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda T. Walker ordered Lopez detained after he pleaded not guilty on Friday. The indictment against him dates back nearly sixteen years; if convicted on all counts—including conspiracy charges related to drugs and money laundering—he could face life imprisonment or up to twenty years on certain counts.
Sentencing decisions will be guided by United States Sentencing Guidelines but are ultimately at the Court’s discretion.
The public is reminded that these are allegations only; Lopez remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
The Drug Enforcement Administration leads the investigation with prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Garrett L. Bradford and Elizabeth M. Hathaway.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration-related crime networks through coordinated efforts involving multiple agencies such as those participating in Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). More about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
For further information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office or visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
