A federal court in Boston handed down a sentence yesterday to a woman from California who was involved in a money laundering conspiracy. The conspiracy revolved around the proceeds generated from the distribution of methamphetamine and marijuana. The defendant played a part in laundering more than $200,000 of her husband’s drug earnings.
The Massachusetts Department of Justice reported that the investigation led to the seizure of a significant amount of illegal substances and firearms. Specifically, law enforcement confiscated over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine. Additionally, they discovered an AK-47, a Glock handgun without a serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, and more than 4,200 rounds of ammunition. Furthermore, authorities dismantled a marijuana grow operation that consisted of hundreds of marijuana plants.
Christina Lua, a 51-year-old resident of Santa Rosa, California, has been sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton. She will serve 12 months and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Lua pleaded guilty in April 2024 to one count of a second superseding indictment, which charged her with money laundering conspiracy.
Lua and four others were originally indicted in September 2021 for money laundering conspiracy. The indictment encompassed a total of 11 defendants involved in a significant drug trafficking conspiracy. While Lua and his accomplices faced charges of money laundering conspiracy, the other 10 defendants were also accused of controlled substance and firearm offenses.
In October 2020, investigators were provided with information regarding the drug trafficking activities of a major methamphetamine supplier operating in the Boston area. During the late months of 2020, Lua’s husband, Reshat Alkayisi, was identified as a significant trafficker of methamphetamine, distributing large quantities to various distributors across the New England region. Lua actively participated in aiding Alkayisi with money laundering, which involved using cash drug proceeds to purchase vehicles and making cash deposits below $10,000 to avoid detection and reporting obligations.
The sentencing of Lua marks the third defendant to receive a verdict. As for the remaining eight defendants, they have already admitted guilt and are now awaiting their own sentencing.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, along with Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Shawn Jenkins, Interim Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Correction. The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Concord, Hudson, Peabody, Reading, Watertown, and Waltham Police Departments, provided assistance. Additionally, the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine State Police were involved. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and Katherine Ferguson of the Criminal Division.
This case is a component of an operation carried out by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).
