MADERA BROTHERS GET 4 YEARS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

Two Madera brothers who headed a Valley crime organization that smuggled
marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine have been sentenced to four years in
prison.

Efrain and Apolinar Garcia, who had pleaded guilty in May to the federal
crime of using a telephone as part of a drug-trafficking offense, were
sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Coyle.

A third brother, Raul, 54, who was alleged to be not as prominent in the
organization, and a fourth defendant, Roman Garcia, 32, no relation, also
were sentenced to four-year terms following earlier guilty pleas.

Efrain, 30, and Apolinar, 45, and the other two men have been in custody
since their arrests two years ago.

They were sentenced to the maximum term allowable under federal sentencing
guidelines for the one-count guilty pleas. Each had been facing from 30
years to life in prison had they been convicted at trial.

At the time of their arrests, the brothers who operated the Rancho Madera
restaurant in Madera, were alleged by federal investigators to be the
"heads of a drug smuggling and trafficking organization that distributes
more than 100 kilograms of cocaine per month and has been doing so since
approximately 1988."

The were originally accused in a 27-count indictment that also sought
forfeiture of thousands of dollars in cash and property.

As part of the plea agreement with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn K.
Oliver and Virna L. Santos, Efrain and Apolinar Garcia agreed to forfeit
homes at 16149 and 16150 Mark Road in Madera. Raul Garcia agreed to forfeit
$70,220 cash.

The Garcias contended they lived on modest incomes, while prosecutors
argued they lived expensive lifestyles paid for by drug profits.

A fifth defendant, Felipe Guerrero, 35, is facing trial in September.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)