Christina Lua, a California woman, recently pleaded guilty to money laundering charges in Massachusetts. She assisted her husband by laundering proceeds of methamphetamine and marijuana distribution. There were a total of eleven defendants charged in this case. Reshat Alkayisi, Lua’s husband, will be sentenced on July 11, 2024.
In October 2020, reports were first made involving the drug trafficking of a large-scale methamphetamine supplier in the Boston area. Later that year, Alkayisi was identified as a supplier of methamphetamine to customers across New England. Investigators identified Lua as laundering the profits of this large-scale operation by purchasing vehicles with the cash proceeds from the drug sales and depositing proceeds of less than $10,000 to stay under reporting requirements and not raise red flags to the IRS.
During the investigation, a shocking amount of over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, in addition to the following weapons: an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition were seized. Additionally, a large illegal marijuana grow facility with hundreds of marijuana plants was found.
Money laundering charges are treated harshly by the law and the charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of the great of $500,000 or twice the amount of laundered proceeds, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. Large-scale drug trafficking is considered to be a capital crime, and may result in a death sentence prescribed at the federal level when it involves murder.
If you have been accused of money laundering charges you need strong representation to defend you against the evidence presented by prosecution. We fight for you to make sure you are not convicted of a crime you are not responsible for. Even if you are not directly involved in drug trafficking, aiding the traffickers by laundering the profits of the sales can come with hefty consequences including prison time and high fines. At Dhar Law LL, we have an experienced team of drug trafficking attorneys that can work with you to defend you against these serious charges. Contact us at (617) 880-6155 to speak to our experienced criminal defense team
