KC Reporter

A Mexican national has been found guilty of participating in a significant drug trafficking operation connected to the Cárteles Unidos cartel. Luis Eduardo Pineda-Zarao, 29, residing in Lebanon, Tennessee, was convicted by a federal jury for his involvement in distributing methamphetamine and heroin worth $4.7 million across Kansas City and the United States.

The conspiracy spanned from February 28, 2020, to June 1, 2022, involving over 335 kilograms of methamphetamine and more than 22 kilograms of heroin. The street value of these drugs is estimated at $300 per ounce for methamphetamine and $1,500 per ounce for heroin.

During the investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations, authorities conducted undercover operations that recovered substantial amounts of cash and drugs. They seized $610,400 in cash along with significant quantities of methamphetamine and heroin. Additional seizures included firearms and marijuana during vehicle stops and searches in Kansas City.

Pineda-Zarao was one among 44 individuals charged in this case. So far, nine co-defendants have been sentenced while others await sentencing after pleading guilty.

The trial took place at the U.S. District Court in Kansas City under Judge Greg Kays. The jury reached a verdict after less than an hour of deliberation following evidence presentation starting October 21.

Under federal law, Pineda-Zarao faces a minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment without parole. His sentencing will be determined post-investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick C. Edwards and Megan Baker are prosecuting the case which involved multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.

This initiative aims to dismantle high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among various law enforcement agencies working together within a co-located Strike Forces model.