United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that four Orlando-area residents have pleaded guilty for their roles in a drug distribution conspiracy involving approximately 89 kilograms of cocaine. Israel Miranda (36, Kissimmee), Abiezer Laboy-Lozada (36, Orlando), Jorge Antonio Gonzalez de la Fuente (31, St. Cloud), and Carlos Antonio Garcia Garcia (35, Kissimmee) each pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute kilograms of cocaine.
Miranda and Laboy-Lozada face a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison, while Gonzalez de la Fuente and Garcia Garcia face 5 to 40 years. The defendants also forfeited $464,031 in cash seized during the investigation.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identified the group’s operations in 2022. On May 1, 2023, Miranda distributed cocaine to Laboy-Lozada in a parking lot, where Laboy-Lozada obtained 20-30 kilograms of cocaine in each meeting. On October 4, 2023, Miranda delivered a shoebox containing cocaine to Gonzalez de la Fuente, who passed it on to Garcia Garcia, who was found carrying a kilogram of cocaine during a vehicle stop. Gonzalez de la Fuente was involved in distributing between 15 to 50 kilograms of cocaine, continuing his activities even after being charged.
Miranda also delivered drug proceeds, including $262,257 on October 13, 2023, and additional amounts in 2023 and 2024. Over the course of the conspiracy, Miranda distributed drugs and drug proceeds totaling more than 89 kilograms of cocaine.
This investigation was carried out by the DEA with assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.
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