SEATTLE — A man who led a drug and gun trafficking ring with his family was sentenced Friday to 27 years in federal prison.
Cristian Berrelleza-Verduzco, 31, and his brother Victor were the U.S. leaders of criminal organization with ties to the violent Beltran-Leyva drug cartel. Their father is in charge of the entire operation and remains a fugitive in Mexico, according to federal prosecutors.
The Verduzco brothers, who both lived in Everett, smuggled methamphetamine and heroin from Mexico to the U.S. They attempted to move weapons into the hands of the Beltran-Leyva cartel in Mexico.
The family raked in millions of dollars.
Cristian Berrelleza-Verduzco pleaded guilty in April 2013 to multiple crimes. His brother Victor was sentenced to 20 years in prison. His other brother Ivan is serving a 7-year sentence.
Nearly three dozen people were charged in connection with the case. Most have been sentenced, according to federal prosecutors.
Detectives with Lake Stevens, Snohomish and the Snohomish Regional Drug and Gang Task Force assisted federal agents with the investigation.
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