California Woman Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act

 NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that ZORAIDA LARA, a/k/a ZORAIDA TRINIDAD, age 50, a resident of Alta Loma, California, pleaded guilty on June 10, 2021 to a two-count Superseding Bill of Information, charging her with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing heroin and distribution and possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing heroin.

According to court records, in November 2019, during an investigation by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, LARA communicated with a special agent working in an undercover capacity about the transportation of illegal narcotics to the New Orleans, LA area. Shortly after their conversation, LARA arranged for co-defendant, David Mora, to deliver the narcotics to the New Orleans area. After Mora delivered the narcotics, which included heroin, LARA flew from California to New Orleans to collect payment for the illegal narcotics and was subsequently arrested upon her arrival.

The Honorable District Court Judge Barry W. Ashe will sentence LARA on September 30, 2021. LARA faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison, a fine of not more than $5,000,000.00, at least 4 years supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment as to each count. 

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Louisiana State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Bayonle Osundare is in charge of the prosecution.