Two people have been indicted for allegedly coordinating the shipment of 400 pounds of marijuana to Kansas City, Missouri.
A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Patrick Maldonado, 42, of Madera, and Elias Zambrano, Jr., of Fresno, charging them with conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana and being felons in possession of firearms. Maldonado is also charged with possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Maldonado and Zambrano coordinated the shipment of 400 pounds of marijuana to Kansas City, Missouri. Authorities seized one load in Kansas City and a second in Arizona. During the execution of search warrants at Maldonado's residence in Madera, authorities found 4 kilograms of cocaine, a firearm, and $45,281 in cash. During the execution of search warrants at Zambrano's residence in Fresno, authorities found 2 loaded firearms and packaged bags of processed marijuana.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, if convicted of the drug conspiracy, Maldonado and Zambrano face a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison, a minimum statutory penalty of five years in prison, and up to a $5 million fine. Maldonado faces the same penalty if convicted of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.
