St. Louis, Missouri – A 35-year-old El Paso, Texas, resident, Marco Chavira, has admitted to serious charges involving the sale of substantial quantities of illegal drugs to an undercover agent.
Undercover Operation Leads to Guilty Plea
On August 16, 2022, in El Paso, Chavira engaged in a covert operation, believing he was dealing with a driver who would transport drugs to major cities, including St. Louis and Chicago.
During this operation, he sold 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and provided an additional kilogram of cocaine on consignment—commonly known as “fronting”—to the undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent. This method of transaction indicated that Chavira expected to be paid later for the cocaine.
Read also: Misuse of charity donations leads to indictment of Kansas City police officer
Chavira entered a guilty plea on Friday in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Upcoming Sentencing and Potential Consequences
The potential punishments Chavira could receive highlight the seriousness of his offenses. Scheduled for sentencing on August 9, the charge carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years and a maximum of 40 years. Additionally, Chavira could also face a fine of up to $5 million.
The DEA’s investigation into this case was crucial in bringing Chavira to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Casey is prosecuting the case.
