Leader of Mexican drug smuggling organization sentenced to 27 years in prison

TUSCON, AZ - A drug smuggling leader was sentenced to 27 years in prison by a federal court in Tuscon Thursday, according to authorities.

Carlos Molinares-Nunez, 37, will also have to forfeit $4 million, thousands of dollars in property, vehicles and jewelry to the U.S. government.

The sentencing comes after Molinares-Nunez pleaded guilty to two counts of continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy as part of a plea agreement on June 5, 2009, according to the U.S Attorney's Office.

Molinares-Nunez was indicted and charged with continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana in November 2006.

Prosecutors say that for five years Molinares-Nunez was a leader in a large drug-smuggling organization in Naco, Sonora, Mexico and directed the organization in many operations resulting in the successful smuggling of more than 30,000 kilograms of marijuana into the United States.

The smuggling organization utilized technology to monitor radio communications between U.S. law enforcement agents to allow their drivers, usually carrying 1,000 pounds of marijuana each, to cross the border into the United States, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors say the organization has been linked to violent activity in Mexico and Molinares-Nunez had even fled to the U.S. to avoid assassination.