A Mexican national associated with a Tijuana-based Sinaloa Cartel cell has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering. Eber Alain Estrada Palafox, also known as “Doctor,” received a 63-month prison sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs, followed by two years of supervised release. Upon completion of his sentence, Palafox will be subject to deportation.
Palafox pleaded guilty in June 2025 to conspiracy charges involving cocaine distribution, heroin distribution, and money laundering. Authorities said he worked with individuals based in Massachusetts to move cocaine and heroin from Mexico through California into New England over a two-year period. The group also attempted to import at least one kilogram of heroin that was later found to be pure fentanyl.
Additionally, Palafox admitted that he used a co-conspirator’s auto dealership—State Line Auto Sales, LLC in Enfield, Connecticut—to launder drug proceeds by wiring funds to his mother in Mexico.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Merck of the Springfield Office prosecuted the case.”
