Houston Man Guilty of Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Today, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that ANACLETO SILVA-HERRERA (“SILVA-HERRERA”), age 38, a resident of Houston, Texas, pled guilty on February 26, 2025, before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo, to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession, with intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A).

According to court documents, SILVA-HERRERA, and other co-conspirators, distributed and possessed with intent to distribute, multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine within the Eastern District of Louisiana.  SILVA-HERRERA transported kilogram quantities of cocaine, and proceeds from the sale of narcotics, on behalf of a co-conspirator, a known Mexico-based source of supply.

On both counts, SILVA-HERRERA faces a minimum term of imprisonment of ten years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. 

This investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration – New Orleans Field Division Office, and assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, the Kenner Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.

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