Colombian National Convicted After Attempting to Buy 20 Kilos of Cocaine
BOSTON – A Colombian national, recently residing in Revere, was convicted by a federal jury today in connection with attempting to purchase 20 kilograms of cocaine from undercover agents.
Jesus Arley Munera-Gomez, 35, was convicted following a week-long trial of one count of attempt to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for March 16, 2022. Munera-Gomez was indicted in March 2020.
In February 2020, Munera-Gomez arranged to purchase 20 kilograms of cocaine from undercover agents in exchange for $200,000. At the meeting location, Munera-Gomez took a duffle bag from the undercover agents containing 20 kilograms of sham cocaine. He was arrested immediately following the transaction. A subsequent search of Munera-Gomez’s residence resulted in the seizure of approximately $200,000 which was to be used as the down payment for the cocaine.
The charge of attempt to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to a lifetime in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared C. Dolan and Lauren A. Graber of Mendell’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
