Mother, Daughter Admit to Laundering Drug Money

Two plead guilty in case involving Zetas and horse-racing

A former Balch Springs woman and her daughter pleaded guilty on Friday to helping a violent Mexican drug cartel launder money.

Zulema Trevino Morales and her daughter Alexandra Trevino admit they helped the Zetas invest millions of dollars in drug profits in the quarter horse industry.

Zulema Trevino's husband Jose Trevino has pleaded not guilty in the case, which is set to go to trial in federal court in Austin on April 15.

The FBI seized hundreds of horses allegedly bought by the cartel in a raid on an Oklahoma ranch last year. Agents also searched the Trevino's former home in Balch Springs.

Jose Trevino is the brother of Miguel Trevino, the reputed head of the Zetas, one of the most powerful and violent Mexican drug cartels. It is based in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico but controls the drug trade in 11 Mexican states, according to U.S. prosecutors.

The government later sold most of the horses at an auction.

Some of the horses, with names such as Number One Cartel, ran in races at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie and also in California and New Mexico.

Zulema Trevino faces 20 years in prison. Her daughter could be sentenced to three years. But prosecutors are recommending both receive probation, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

The Associated Press contributed information for this report.

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