Ryan K. Buchanan, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Omar Cuenca-Marino, a 41-year-old from Guerrero, Mexico, has been extradited to Georgia to face federal charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering. He was arraigned before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard on charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin into the United States, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering. Cuenca-Marino is alleged to have led the Los Rojos Mexican Drug Cartel and was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2016.
Acting United States Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. commented on the case: “Robust law enforcement partnerships, tenacious investigators, and a resilient determination to eliminate cartels that import deadly drugs into our communities culminated in the charges and recent extradition of this alleged drug cartel leader.” He added that this prosecution sends a strong message to cartels about facing justice.
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta covering Georgia and Alabama stated: “The arrest and extradition of Omar Cuenca-Marino marks a significant success for the ongoing U.S. efforts to dismantle drug trafficking cartels and secure our borders.” He emphasized their commitment against transnational crime.
Jae W. Chung from the DEA Atlanta Division noted: “The success of this investigation demonstrates DEA will use all of its resources to destroy drug distribution networks that are endangering our communities.”
Special Agent Demetrius Hardeman from IRS Criminal Investigation highlighted the impact of drug cartels: “Drug cartels have caused the death of many people in the United States and Mexico through violence and distribution of illegal drugs.”
According to court information provided by Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, between 2013 and 2016, Cuenca-Marino allegedly oversaw operations importing large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the U.S., directing smuggling activities using buses and tractor-trailers while managing millions in drug proceeds.
Several incidents illustrate these activities: On October 11, 2013, law enforcement seized significant quantities of drugs in Georgia under his direction; on November 20, 2015, packages of cocaine were seized in Duluth; on February 9, 2016, $425,900 linked to him was found during a traffic stop in Missouri.
Cuenca-Marino's indictment contains only charges at this stage; he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), alongside local police departments across several states.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Herskowitz is prosecuting with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Hartigan and Michael J. Brown among others who played roles throughout this complex international operation.
This prosecution falls under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative aimed at dismantling major criminal organizations through collaborative efforts across various jurisdictions focusing on high-priority targets within regions like Atlanta metropolitan area where operations such as these are crucial for maintaining public safety.
For more information regarding this case or related inquiries contact U.S Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email or phone listed above.
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