United States Drug Enforcement Administration

McAllen, Texas - A naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Houston has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction 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. Alejandro Morales-Flores, 60, pleaded guilty April 16, 2015.

Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane handed Morales-Flores a 63-month sentence. After he finishes his prison sentence, he will be on supervised release for three years. 

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. 

Morales-Flores was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service by Dec. 7, 2015, to begin serving his sentence.

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.