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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2008

Jury Convicts South Florida Truck Driver of Transporting $950,000 Worth of Cocaine from Arizona to Central Florida

MAR 11 -- On February 28, 2008, a jury in the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) found Adan Gonzalez guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Gonzalez faces a minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum term of life imprisonment, plus a $4 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for May 2008.

Gonzalez was indicted with two other men in October 2007 in the MDFL. According to evidence presented at trial, Gonzalez, a truck driver from Miramar, Florida, enlisted the help of another south Florida truck driver to bring 50 kilograms of cocaine to the Orlando area, where it was to be sold for $950,000 (i.e. $19,000 per kilogram). At the direction of Gonzalez, two other men provided the cocaine to two south Florida truck drivers in Phoenix, Arizona, and all four men traveled in three separate vehicles to central Florida to sell the cocaine. Gonzalez oversaw the delivery of the cocaine. The cocaine was seized in Lake Mary, Florida, shortly after it was off-loaded from one of the vehicles on Interstate-4, just north of Orlando. Gonzalez initially left the scene, but was subsequently arrested in Kansas.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division Orlando District Office. The investigation targeted a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization and has resulted in the seizure of 8 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and 93 kilograms of cocaine, and the arrest of 11 subjects.