A November federal indictment named 26 suspects in an operation allegedly based in Starr County. The first four defendants pleaded guilty Monday to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Lauro Arturo Trevino Sr. of Roma, Francisco Javier Trevino of Mission, Guadalupe Garcia of Houston and Roberto Lee Coronado of Edinburg are held pending sentencing April 18.
Garcia and Francisco Trevino also pleaded guilty to money laundering.
Francisco Trevino also pleaded guilty over a 2010 traffic stop that yielded $61,000. He faces up to life in prison.
The other three men face a maximum 40 years for distributing drugs. The penalty for money laundering is up to 20 years in prison.
