KC Reporter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City woman has pleaded guilty in federal court to methamphetamine trafficking. Nora Linda Ochoa-Chavez, a 44-year-old Mexican citizen, admitted to aiding and abetting the possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Her co-defendant, Rafael Valencia-Galaviz, also a Mexican citizen, had previously pleaded guilty to the same charge.

The guilty plea follows the seizure of a significant amount of methamphetamine disguised as spray foam insulation. Homeland Security Investigations agents discovered 700 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in a box trailer, leading to the arrest and subsequent legal proceedings against Ochoa-Chavez and Valencia-Galaviz.

Valencia-Galaviz disclosed to investigators details about the methamphetamine operation, stating the amounts he had picked up prior to his arrest. The case involves multiple firearms and large quantities of drugs found at the defendants' residence and in Ochoa-Chavez's vehicle.

Ochoa-Chavez and Valencia-Galaviz face severe penalties under federal law for their involvement in the methamphetamine trafficking scheme. Ochoa-Chavez could receive a minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, up to a maximum of 40 years. Meanwhile, Valencia-Galaviz faces a minimum sentence of 10 years without parole, up to a potential life sentence.

The sentencing hearings for the defendants will be scheduled following the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Marquez is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.