Jury convicts cartel leader in murder-for-hire conspiracy following HSI, federal partner investigation

LAREDO, Texas — A South Texas federal jury convicted a Mexican citizen on multiple counts of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, kidnapping and murder-for-hire following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI and the Laredo Police Department.

Noe Gonzalez-Martinez aka Tocayo, 40, was convicted Dec. 15 on all counts as charged following a three-day trial. Gonzalez-Martinez was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, murder-for-hire conspiracy, murder for hire, conspiracy to kidnap, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking related crime, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. During his trial, the jury heard evidence that between Sept. 7 and Sept. 13, 2021, Gonzalez-Martinez, a leader and manager of the Cartel Del Noreste, and several other Cartel Del Noreste members traveled from Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas, Mexico, into Laredo. There, Gonzalez-Martinez solicited the help of other Cartel Del Noreste affiliates to recruit, plan and coordinate the kidnapping and murder of an individual the cartel believed had stolen from them.

The jury also heard testimony from all law enforcement agencies involved in the operation. Authorities detailed their investigation into the cellphones used by the Cartel Del Noreste to commit this crime, the firearms they obtained, and the defendants’ border crossing. A co-conspirator provided insider knowledge of the Cartel Del Noreste and its operations. Additionally, he admitted to the jury he was a hired killer for the Cartel Del Noreste and that he participated in the crime.

According to court documents, the investigation revealed Gonzalez-Martinez communicated via cellphone with co-conspirators to plan and coordinate the recovery of drugs and proceeds from the intended victim. In addition, Gonzalez-Martinez provided co-conspirators with an address where they could retrieve firearms and a vehicle, which they took possession of on Sept. 13, 2021. The firearms included a Colt Government Model .45-caliber pistol, a Trooper MKIII .357 Magnum revolver, a Bushmaster .223-5.56 mm rifle and a Colt AR-15. Law enforcement authorities set up the arrest of three hitmen who were secreted into Laredo by the Cartel Del Noreste. The hired killers were led to a vehicle and firearms in an undercover operation. Authorities apprehended all three of them during a joint law enforcement operation.

Co-conspirators Juan Antonio Martinez-Padilla aka Juan Antonio Martinez-Lopez or Otoniel Martinez-Padilla, 58, Gregorio Gonzalez-Barragan, 33, and Rodolfo Reyna-Zapata, 25, all from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, previously pleaded guilty to the kidnapping conspiracy and are pending sentencing on that charge.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over the trial and set sentencing for March 25, 2024. At that time, Gonzalez-Martinez faces up to life in federal prison. He remains in custody pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Southern District of Texas José Angel Moreno and Steven Chamberlin prosecuted the case.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.