January 06, 2008
For Information Contact,
Special Agent Ramona Sanchez
Public Information Officer
(602) 664-5725
Drug Kingpin Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for
Directing Criminal Enterprise
Group distributed 30,000 kilos of marijuana over the 12-year conspiracy
JAN 06  -- 
PHOENIX - Elizabeth W. Kempshall, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Phoenix Field Division joined Diane J. Humetewa, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona to announce the sentencing of drug kingpin Martin Angel Gonzalez.
Martin Angel Gonzalez, 43, of Phoenix, was sentenced today to 20 years in prison for operating a large drug trafficking ring out of Phoenix. U.S. District Court Judge Stephen M. McNamee also imposed a $10 million money judgment against Gonzalez who pleaded guilty on September 12, 2008 to being the leader of a Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana.
Gonzalez had been charged with various drug trafficking offenses as part of a 70-count 
superseding indictment related to his leadership of a 12-year conspiracy involving the distribution of 
over 30,000 kilograms of marijuana worth more than $33 million. Twenty-five other co-conspirators 
were also charged and have pleaded guilty for their involvement in the conspiracy. Many will be 
sentenced over the next few months.
During the investigation, agents seized approximately 5,000 pounds of marijuana and more 
than $15 million in organizational assets. These assets included cash, investment accounts, bank 
accounts, vehicles, jewelry and real estate properties. Gonzalez's organization imported marijuana 
from Mexico, packaged it in the Phoenix area and distributed it to Massachusetts, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin and California. He distributed marijuana to his 
associates across the country using commercial trucks, personal vehicles and commercial shipping 
companies. Gonzalez was arrested in Morelia, Michoacn, Mexico, with the assistance of Mexican 
federal law enforcement authorities. He was extradited from Mexico to the United States in 2006.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the 
Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division and the Scottsdale Police Department. The 
prosecution was handled by Kevin M. Rapp and Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District 
of Arizona, Phoenix.