Texas Man Sentenced For Role In Acadiana Drug Trafficking Organization

A Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of supplying an Acadiana drug trafficking organization.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley says 45-year-old Antonio Luna Valdez, Jr., along with other family members, was involved in smuggling and transporting hundreds of kilos of cocaine and thousands of pounds of marijuana from Mexico into the U.S., including the Acadiana area, by using 18-wheelers, SUVs and other vehicles. She says drug proceeds were then transported back to the Rio Grande Valley, Texas area. Finley says a large portion of the cocaine brought to Louisiana was converted into crack and distributed in the Lafayette-New Iberia area.

In connection with this case, the United States seized $1,275,940 in United States currency, and an 18-wheeler used to traffic the narcotics related to the case.

U.S. Attorney Finley stated, “This was a complex drug organization that distributed enormous quantities of cocaine and marijuana in the Acadiana region and caused immeasurable harm to the community. This sentence is the result of a lot of hard work by dedicated prosecutors and law enforcement agents who are committed to ensuring that our communities do not fall prey to drug dealers. I hope it sends a clear message that there are serious consequences to dealing in drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, will continue to be vigilant during the investigation and prosecution of those engaging in drug activity.”