KC Reporter

A Belton, Missouri man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole for leading a drug-trafficking conspiracy and illegal firearm possession. Serjio Diaz, 40, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Greg Kays after pleading guilty on April 9, 2024, to charges including conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.

Diaz was identified as the primary organizer of a drug-trafficking operation that spanned from January 1, 2019, to June 22, 2021. The investigation began on March 18, 2019, when federal agents intercepted packages from California containing over seven kilograms of methamphetamine addressed to Diaz's residence and his brother Tony Diaz's home in Raymore, Missouri.

Throughout the investigation, authorities conducted controlled transactions using an FBI confidential source. These transactions resulted in law enforcement purchasing more than seven kilograms of methamphetamine and six kilograms of heroin from the Diaz brothers for $243,900.

On June 22, 2021, law enforcement arrested both Serjio and Tony Diaz. Searches at Serjio's residences revealed nearly nine kilograms of heroin and various firearms. At Tony’s residence and vehicles, officers found suspected drugs and firearms including semi-automatic rifles.

Financial investigations showed that between May 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020, Serjio Diaz deposited $82,145 through money orders into his accounts or his business account at Imperial Window & Gutter Cleaning LLC. Many purchases were made soon after controlled drug buys by law enforcement.

Tony Diaz has also pleaded guilty to similar charges but awaits sentencing. Another co-defendant Maria Jasmin Lopez from Phoenix was sentenced on August 1, 2023.

The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley K. Kavanaugh with investigations conducted by multiple agencies under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program.