More members and associates of the Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos (HPL) prison gang were sentenced in a Laredo case on Thursday.
Officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas said three men were sentenced in a marijuana trafficking case.
Federal prosecutors identified the men as:
- Francisco Javier Olvera, aka “Shotgun,” 33, of Houston
- Rafael Inocencio, aka “Garfield,” 30, of Laredo
- Nick Copaus, 29,
Prosecutors said the three were arrested as part of "Operation Pistol Whipped" and "Operation Smoking Guns".
The two operations targeted the HPL gang and its illicit activities in the Laredo and Houston area.
The investigations resulted in the indictment and conviction of 24 members and associates of the HPL gang for narcotics distribution and money laundering.
The three defendants sentenced on Thursday were indicted in relation to a 717 kilogram shipment of marijuana worth $1.3 million dollars that was seized from a van on June 26, 2007.
Federal prosecutors said the HPL gang is a highly organized group with specific rules and regulations known as “The Executive Rules and Oath” which insures loyalty and participation by HPL members in the criminal activities of the organization.
Each city and prison facility has its own leadership structure, hierarchy and membership. HPL membership is for life.
HPL leadership includes titles such as generals, captains, lieutenants and sergeants. Non-ranking members are referred to as soldiers, while individuals who are in the process of becoming HPL members are referred to as prospects.
Individuals who perform work for or do business with the HPL, but are not members or prospects, are called associates.
The primary illicit activity and purpose of the HPL prison gang is to make money through the sale and distribution of cocaine and marijuana obtained from places outside the United States for further sale by the members of the criminal enterprise in Laredo, Houston and elsewhere.
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