A Florida resident has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking and money laundering operation. Wuesley Pelaez Vela, 34, of Tallahassee, received the sentence from U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young in Boston. Following his release, he will serve five years of supervised release.
Pelaez Vela pleaded guilty in May 2025 to conspiracy to launder money and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022 along with five other alleged co-conspirators.
Authorities began investigating a Colombia-based money laundering group in 2019 that was working on behalf of several drug trafficking organizations. Between 2020 and 2022, Pelaez Vela coordinated with an undercover agent to arrange multiple collections of drug proceeds intended for Mexican suppliers as part of the laundering scheme. In total, he organized thirteen pickups amounting to over $1.1 million.
In October 2021, Pelaez Vela directed an undercover agent to buy fentanyl, supplying photos and a code phrase for ordering pills containing the substance. Law enforcement seized two packages sent during this transaction containing more than 600 grams of fentanyl.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today.” The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan from the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit.
This prosecution is part of efforts under the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), created by Executive Order 14159, which aims to dismantle criminal cartels and transnational criminal organizations through collaboration among various federal agencies.