Businessman Gets 7 Years in Money Laundering

A businessman was sentenced to seven years and three months in federal prison Monday for helping to launder nearly $1 million during Operation Casablanca, the U.S. Custom Service’s massive probe into ties between drug cartels and Mexican bankers.

U.S. District Judge Lourdes Baird rejected a plea by Alfonso Labrada Gurrola for leniency, accusing him of having lied on the stand during his trial earlier this year.

“There’s no question in my mind that Mr. Labrada chose to take the stand and lie,” Baird said. “That can not go unnoticed.”

The judge also agreed with Assistant U.S. Atty. Duane Lyons that Labrada was a willing participant in the money laundering scheme.

Defense lawyer Kerry Steigerwalt argued that Labrada was unwittingly drawn into the conspiracy, but Baird said Labrada “knew exactly what was going down.”

Labrada, who lives in San Ysidro and operates a business in Tijuana, was convicted along with two Mexican bankers after a lengthy trial in Los Angeles federal court. Three other defendants were acquitted.

Thirteen defendants, including two Mexican banks, pleaded guilty before the trial began.