Jurors in Cape Girardeau found Lorenzo A. Marquez, 32, and Adam A. Marquez, 27, guilty of participating in a drug distribution conspiracy that supplied methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine to a trafficking organization in Southeast Missouri. The trial lasted nine days and was presided over by U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr.
Evidence at the trial indicated that the brothers operated from California and used couriers to ship drugs via checked luggage on commercial flights to Southeast Missouri. Law enforcement seized drugs and cash at airports in Detroit, Memphis, and Nashville, as well as during a traffic stop in Perry County, Missouri.
On March 3, 2022, three couriers were intercepted at the Detroit airport while carrying about 60 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly three pounds of cocaine destined for Southeast Missouri. According to testimony, Lorenzo Marquez had given these suitcases containing drugs to the couriers in Los Angeles. Records showed multiple trips by these couriers between Southeast Missouri and Los Angeles transporting both drugs and cash.
The trial began on February 23. Sentencing for the Marquez brothers is set for June 11, 2026. Both face mandatory minimum sentences of ten years in federal prison with a potential maximum of life imprisonment.
The investigation involved several agencies including the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force; Missouri State Highway Patrol; Drug Enforcement Administration; FBI; U.S. Marshals Service; Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office; Perry County Sheriff’s Office; Charleston Department of Public Safety; Sikeston Department of Public Safety; Cape Girardeau Police Department; Memphis Airport Police; Nashville Airport Police; Detroit Airport Police; and Cobb County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris Shelton and Paul Hahn are prosecuting the case.
