
Associated Press - November 20, 2009 2:55 PM ET
DALLAS (AP) - A 23-year-old Dallas man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on drug trafficking and money laundering charges tied to Mexico's Gulf Cartel.
Uriel Palacios still faces murder charges in Dallas County in a Sept. 1, 2008, crash that killed newlyweds Erika Clouet, 24, and German Clouet, 23. Prosecutors alleged Palacios was driving drunk.
U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of Dallas says Palacios was a member of a North Texas drug operation that used profits from cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking in the U.S. to buy more illegal drugs in Mexico.
Prosecutors say U.S. drug enforcement agents seized a large suitcase in May 2008, that Palacios gave to a courier to take to Mexico. Prosecutors say it contained nearly $1.3 million cash.
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