BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - A 37-year-old Mexican citizen living legally in Brownsville has pleaded guilty to charges he conspired to launder almost $1.9 million in drug proceeds through nine banks.
Evidence showed Oscar Aguilar recruited nine other people, including relatives, to open bank accounts in Brownsville at the Bank of America. Contacts in Florida would make drug money deposits into the accounts and people in Texas would make withdrawals of less than $10,000 to evade reporting requirements.
Prosecutors say Aguilar then would take the money to Matamoros, Mexico, and deliver it to the Gulf Cartel.
Nine others have been convicted in the scheme.
Aguilar remains in custody after a federal court appearance Friday in Brownsville. He could get up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine when he’s sentenced in August.
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