Member of Harrisburg-based drug distribution ring to serve 9 years in prison

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A Dauphin County man was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in a multimillion-dollar marijuana distribution ring operating out of a Harrisburg car dealership, authorities announced Friday.

Jose Laboy, 40, of Susquehanna Township, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson at a recent hearing, according to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam.

Laboy previously pleaded guilty to being part of a group that received marijuana shipped from California and admitted to possessing a firearm used in drug trafficking, Karam said.

The drug ring operated out of Fastlane Auto Sales' headquarters in the city, according to Karam. The group received packages of marijuana from California and sent them cash back, using a sophisticated system of GPS devices placed in the packages to track the location of the drugs and money.

The Fastlane Group eventually learned that a U.S. postal worker was stealing their marijuana while it was being shipped by U.S. Mail, Karam said. In an attempt to stop the suspected thief, members of the conspiracy shot up a car in Harrisburg, a home in Susquehanna Township and another home in Steelton, according to Karam.

They also robbed and assaulted the postman at gunpoint, Karam added.

Laboy was responsible for trafficking between 100 and 400 kilograms of marijuana between 2017 and 2020, Karam said. He was not found responsible for the violence associated with the group.

Other members of the conspiracy include:

Christophe Texidor, 36, of Harrisburg: Convicted of drug trafficking and weapons offenses in March. Awaiting judgment.

William Kuduk, 37, of Harrisburg: Pleaded guilty to trafficking marijuana and cocaine with the Fastlane group. Awaiting judgment.

Justin Laboy, 36, of Harrisburg: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and weapons conspiracy. Awaiting judgment.

Julio Arellano, 33, of Harrisburg: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, weapons violations and conspiracy. Awaiting judgment.

Jonathan Cobaugh, 25, of Harrisburg: Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and wire fraud related to COVID-19 compensation. Sentenced to 63 months in prison last month.

Jamie Valenzuela, 32, of Santa Ana, California: Pleaded guilty to originating marijuana shipped from California. Sentenced to 57 months in prison in February.