LOS ANGELES : 2 Guilty in International Cocaine Smuggling Case
Two men linked to an international drug smuggling ring were convicted in Los Angeles federal court Monday of conspiring to distribute more than $400 million worth of cocaine.
Fernando Landivar Lopez, 31, and Jesus Teofilo Tavizon, 50, were arrested May 15, 1991, in conjunction with the seizure of 3,300 pounds of the drug, the FBI said. Agents said a two-year investigation by a multi-agency task force led to the seizure of 10,000 pounds of cocaine, $2 million in cash, numerous luxury automobiles and a number of weapons.
Investigators said proceeds from Mexican and Colombian drug trafficking operations headed by Lopez were laundered through real estate purchases.
Among the 14 other men previously convicted as a result of the investigation are real estate agent Henry Cleveland of Fontana, James Cleveland of Austin, Tex., Ricardo Payan of Fountain Valley and Robert Castillo and Eduardo Iriarte, both of Pasadena.
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