NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)), published as received.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FULGENCIO CARDENAS-RIVERA (“CARDENAS-RIVERA”), age 35, a resident of Houston, Texas, pled guilty on April 15, 2025, before United States District Judge Brandon S. Long to possession, with intent to distribute, five hundred (500) grams or more of cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.
According to court documents, CARDENAS-RIVERA traveled into the Eastern District of Louisiana with approximately three kilograms of cocaine secreted in the trunk of the car he was driving, with the intent to distribute same.
CARDENAS-RIVERA faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years up to a maximum term of 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, at least four years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration – New Orleans Field Division Office and assisted by the United States Border Patrol, the Louisiana State Police, the Kenner Police Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.
