Mexican cartel sent representative to Miami to oversee cocaine network, feds say

Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald on Aug 20, 2026

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MIAMI — Ten defendants have been sentenced to federal prison for participating in a South Florida cocaine trafficking network that prosecutors say obtained drugs from a Mexican cartel, transported cocaine and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash across the United States and included a cartel representative sent to Miami to oversee the organization’s interests.

The sentences ranged from 21 months to more than 15 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. Eight of the defendants pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Federal prosecutors said the organization operated from at least September 2024 through September 2025 and obtained cocaine from a Mexican drug cartel as well as other suppliers.

One defendant, Mexican national Javier Garcia-Mora, 40, was sent to Miami by members of the cartel to oversee its interests in South Florida, according to court records cited by prosecutors. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Garcia-Mora was in the United States illegally.

He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Darrin P. Gayles to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

“Mexican drug cartels do not get to establish a foothold in South Florida,” U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said in announcing the sentences.

“This organization brought cartel-supplied cocaine into our communities, moved drugs and bulk cash across the country, and even had a cartel representative sent to Miami to oversee its interests,” Reding Quiñones said. “Ten defendants are now headed to federal prison.”

Prosecutors did not identify the Mexican cartel that allegedly supplied the organization in the press release announcing the sentences.

The longest sentence went to Reinaldo Fernandez, 63, who prosecutors said obtained cocaine from the Mexican cartel and other sources.

Gayles sentenced Fernandez to 188 months — 15 years and eight months — in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Prosecutors said several members of the organization played specialized roles moving drugs and money.

Michel Garcia, 50, Renier Mendez, 46, and Elvis Alfonso, 40, worked as drivers for the organization, transporting cocaine and bulk U.S. currency throughout the country, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Garcia and Mendez were each sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, while Alfonso received a 64-month sentence.

Alfredo Miranda, 63; Yaniel Cardenal Frias, 32; and Jorge Victor Herrero Gamez, 33, bought and sold cocaine to and from Fernandez and others in South Florida, prosecutors said.

Miranda was sentenced to 70 months, Cardenal Frias to 75 months and Herrero Gamez to 82 months. Like Fernandez, Garcia-Mora, Garcia, Mendez and Alfonso each pleaded guilty to a conspiracy involving five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Two other defendants were convicted on charges involving smaller or unspecified quantities.

Alberto Gonzalez, 39, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

Daniel Gerardo Torres, 55, received a 21-month sentence after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine.

Both Gonzalez and Torres also bought and sold cocaine involving Fernandez and other members of the South Florida organization, according to prosecutors.

Federal agents seized more than $450,000 in drug proceeds during the investigation.

Three other defendants — Juan Miguel Torna Rojas, William Padron Perez and Ricardo Oramas Valdes — remain fugitives, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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