BOSTON – A California woman was sentenced in federal court in Boston yesterday for her involvement in a money laundering scheme connected to drug trafficking. Christina Lua, 51, from Santa Rosa, California, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by a year of supervised release. She had previously pleaded guilty to money laundering charges.
The investigation led to the seizure of over 160 pounds of methamphetamine, various firearms, and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition. A large marijuana grow operation was also shut down.
Lua’s husband, Reshat Alkayisi, was identified as a major methamphetamine distributor in New England. Lua helped launder his drug money by buying vehicles with cash and making cash deposits in amounts under $10,000 to avoid detection.
Lua is the third defendant to be sentenced in this case, with the remaining eight defendants having pleaded guilty and awaiting their sentences. The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and several law enforcement officials, including those from the FBI, DEA, and various local police departments.