Vanessa Velez and Felix Mendez, both residents of New York City, were sentenced in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to possess and distribute about 40 kilograms of cocaine. The sentencing took place before United States District Judge Timothy J. Savage in Philadelphia.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Velez received a sentence of 48 months in prison, five years of supervised release, and was ordered to forfeit $325,000. Mendez was sentenced to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and must also forfeit $325,000.
Both defendants were indicted earlier this year and pleaded guilty in August to charges including conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute approximately 40 kilograms of cocaine, as well as attempted possession with intent to distribute the same amount.
Court documents state that Velez and Mendez traveled together from New York to Philadelphia carrying a duffel bag containing roughly $325,000 in cash. On October 29, 2024, they met at a parking lot in South Philadelphia where they exchanged the money for two duffel bags they believed contained cocaine. After leaving the scene by car, they were stopped by Philadelphia police near 59 E. Oregon Avenue. Both were detained and officers recovered the two bags containing what turned out to be sham cocaine.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Philadelphia Police Department under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Diviny prosecuted the case.
United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the sentences.
