Two Men Sentenced in Federal Court in Louisiana in Connection with Possessing Large Amounts of Cocaine and Heroin

New Orleans, Louisiana – On September 22, 2022, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Luis Rivas, age 59, a Colombian citizen who was living in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Angel Santiago Hernandez, age 49, a Colombian citizen who was living in Houston, Texas were sentenced in a federal court in Louisiana on September 21, 2022, before the Honorable Jane Triche Milazzo on charges of violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

Rivas and Hernandez pleaded guilty to charges of possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute, according to court records. During a traffic check in August 2021, Hernandez admitted to having around 3 kilograms of cocaine, a kilogram of heroin, and tens of thousands of dollars in cash. Rivas revealed to authorities that he had a kilogram of heroin and several thousand dollars with the purpose to distribute in a New Orleans apartment where he was staying.

Each defendant was sentenced to 70 months (5 years, 10 months) in the Bureau of Prisons, followed by four years of supervised release by Judge Milazzo. They were also required to pay a $100 special assessment fee.

Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agents investigated this case (DEA). Assistant United States Attorney David Haller is in charge of the prosecution.