A federal grand jury in Arizona has indicted a father-son duo for conspiring to ship 40 pounds of cocaine from Tucson to New York, Alabama and Georgia.
Prior Investigation
In 2019, investigators uncovered a scheme involving Raul Garcia Cordova, 53, who used United Parcel Service employees to deliver illegal drugs and counterfeit THC vape pens. The probe led to a raid of Cordova’s $2.4 million home, where federal agents seized SUVs, pickups, a motorboat, a sports car and a trailer.
Current Indictment
This month, the grand jury charged Cordova and his 28-year-old son, Armando Castro Flores, known as “Randy Savage,” with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) learned in July that a transnational criminal organization had established operations in Tucson and was distributing controlled substances throughout the southeastern United States.
Undercover Agent Meetings
An undercover HSI agent met Cordova a month later, seeking delivery drivers. In a second meeting, Cordova showed a photo of a brick of cocaine on his cellphone and said 10 to 20 kilos needed transport from Tucson to Alabama. At a third meeting, Cordova and Castro Flores gave the agent an encrypted cellphone and instructions to deliver cocaine to a man called “Pops” in Alabama.
On Oct. 30, Cordova allegedly gave the agent $2,000 for expenses and 15 bricks of cocaine totaling 18.2 kilos (40 pounds). The agent delivered the cocaine to Pops on Nov. 4 at a truck stop in Montgomery, Alabama, where law enforcement arrested Pops later that day. Castro Flores was arrested in Tucson on Nov. 14, and a federal judge issued a no-bond warrant for Cordova.
Legal Action
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has asked a federal judge to seal the case to prevent defendants from fleeing jurisdiction or disposing of evidence.
Key Takeaways
- Raul Garcia Cordova and son Armando Castro Flores indicted for shipping 40 lbs of cocaine from Tucson to Alabama, Georgia and New York.
- Prior 2019 probe led to raid of Cordova’s $2.4 million home.
- Undercover agent received 15 bricks of cocaine and $2,000 on Oct. 30.
The indictment underscores federal efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating across multiple states.
