United States Drug Enforcement Administration

McALLEN, Texas - Alejandro Morales-Flores, 60, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Houston, has entered a plea of guilty in McAllen federal court to conspiring to commit money laundering, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. 

On Oct. 24, 2014, Morales-Flores was driving a tractor-trailer from Houston to the Rio Grande Valley. A trooper with the Texas Department of Public (DPS) stopped him near San Manuel for a traffic violation as he was heading to the Valley. His trailer was found to be emplty, but a search resulted in the discovery of several bags containing a total of $1,413,255 in U.S. currency hidden in the sleeper compartment.

Morales-Flores admitted he knew the money was drug trafficking proceeds and that he was being paid to deliver it to unknown individuals in the Rio Grande Valley area. 

U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted the plea today and set sentencing for June 29, 2015, at which time Morales-Flores faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible fine of more than $2.8 million. He was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from DPS. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Leonard is prosecuting the case.