Ex-Mexican cartel leader sentenced to 30 years in U.S. prison

A former leader of Mexico's notorious Gulf drug cartel has been sentenced to 30 years in a U.S. prison and fined US$100 million.

Juan Francisco Sáenz Tamez was sentenced Tuesday by a judge in Beaumont, Texas, on drug and money laundering convictions.

Sáenz Tamez is a 23-year-old resident of the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas. He was arrested in October 2014 during a shopping trip to Texas.

Sáenz Tamez pleaded guilty in January to distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Prosecutors say Sáenz Tamez was responsible for shipping at least half a ton of cocaine and 90 tons of marijuana into the U.S. Investigators believe the drug cartel laundered US$100 million.