Four individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in a drug trafficking organization that moved significant quantities of cocaine from California to the Western District of Tennessee. The sentencing took place on January 14, 2025, by Senior U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes, who handled the case of the fourth defendant. Acting United States Attorney Reagan Fondren announced the sentences.
The investigation, led by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Border Enforcement Task Force, began in September 2022 when authorities identified a drug trafficking organization operating in West Tennessee. José Iban-Arcos, 52, and Edwin Mayorga, 42, were identified as key figures acquiring large amounts of cocaine. Both had previous convictions for narcotics trafficking in the same district. José Hernandez-Gonzalez, 29, was found to be distributing the cocaine, while Jesús Serrano-Mayorquin, 43, was responsible for transporting the narcotics from California to Tennessee.
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During the investigation, agents seized over 25 kilograms of cocaine and several firearms, including more than 45 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop. The defendants were indicted in June 2023 and subsequently pled guilty.
José Iban-Arcos from Aguascalientes, Mexico, received a sentence of 144 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for charges including conspiracy and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, along with illegal re-entry into the United States. Edwin Mayorga from Long Beach, California, was sentenced to 66 months in prison with 4 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute. Jesús Serrano-Mayorquin from Los Angeles, California, was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. José Hernandez-Gonzalez from Tamaulipas, Mexico, was sentenced to 18 months of home detention followed by 5 years of supervised release for similar charges, including possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level drug trafficking organizations. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including HSI, the Bartlett Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and several local sheriff’s offices.
HSI Nashville Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Colin Jackson, emphasized the importance of law enforcement partnerships in protecting communities and dismantling drug trafficking networks. Director David Rausch of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation highlighted the effectiveness of collaboration at various levels of law enforcement in combating drug trafficking and associated violence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Gregory D. Allen and Bryce H. Phillips. More information can be obtained by contacting the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Updates from the U.S. Attorney’s Office can be followed on Facebook on Facebook or on X.
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