ST. LOUIS, MO – Rene Alejandro Valdivia-Gonzalez, 41, of Phoenix, Arizona, has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine after being caught with 58.85 kilograms of the drug during a traffic stop on Interstate 44 in Phelps County, Missouri. The plea was entered in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on June 11, 2025, with sentencing scheduled for October 2, 2025.
Traffic Stop and Drug Discovery
On September 21, 2024, Valdivia-Gonzalez was pulled over by the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department for a traffic violation while driving a Mercedes Sprinter van. After receiving consent to search the vehicle, deputies discovered an after-market compartment installed beneath the original floorboards. Inside, they found 53 rectangular bricks wrapped in plastic and tape, each weighing approximately one kilogram. Additional bricks were concealed behind the dashboard, bringing the total cocaine seizure to 58.85 kilograms.
Federal Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by:
- Phelps County Sheriff’s Department
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finlen.
Sentencing and Legal Consequences
Valdivia-Gonzalez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. His conviction is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation, which targets high-level criminal organizations through multi-agency collaboration.
Conclusion
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of federal and local law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and disrupt organized crime networks. Authorities continue to urge the public to report suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies.
For more information on OCDETF operations, visit here.
