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Inside ICE: Volume 2, Issue 18
Drug Dealer Must Forfeit $2.7 Million Won in Lottery
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A Mexican national who won a $5 million Texas Lottery jackpot is now being ordered to forfeit his winnings since his ticket was purchased with illegal drug monies.

The decision of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the convictions and substantial sentence of Jose Luis Betancourt for drug trafficking offenses, and the forfeiture of his interest in the Dec. 11, 2002 Texas Lottery jackpot drawing. The 5th Circuit Court's opinion was issued Aug. 17.

“The result of this case illustrates that those who think they can use illicit funds to further their financial income are mistaken,” said Alonzo Pena, Special Agent-in-Charge for ICE San Antonio. “ICE will utilize every investigative resource to bring those individuals to justice who attempt to subvert the system.”

Two days after the Texas Lottery Commission paid Betancourt approximately $5.5 million, representing the cash proceeds from the Texas Lottery, minus an amount withheld for federal income taxes, Betancourt delivered cocaine that led to his arrest and convictions. His arrest followed his long involvement in drug trafficking activities in the Brownsville, Texas, area. ICE agents in Brownsville led the investigation, along with the Cameron County Sheriff's Office, and the Brownsville Police Department.