ATLANTA — A man accused of being a ruthless enforcer of Mexican drug cartels has been sentenced to nearly two decades in federal prison for cocaine trafficking and money laundering.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta says Roberto Lopez partnered with a U.S. based trucking businessman to move up to 300 kilos of cocaine per week to Atlanta, Memphis and other cities.

Lopez was also accused of smuggling large amounts of cash back to Mexico.

In just a six month period, the organization distributed 15-hundred kilograms of coke in Atlanta alone, officials said.

This is a developing story. Stay with WSB Radio News for updates.