DETROIT, MI – United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today that two drug traffickers have been sentenced to 25 and 30 years in prison for murdering two individuals over a drug debt. Mariano Garcia, 53, of Brownsville, Texas, received a 25-year sentence, while Michael Griffin, 40, of Birmingham, Alabama, received a 30-year sentence. Both sentences were handed down by United States District Judge Terrence G. Berg.

Both Garcia and Griffin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, interstate travel with the intent to kill or injure resulting in death, and interstate travel in aid of illegal activity resulting in death.

Garcia and Griffin confessed to a prolonged drug trafficking conspiracy involving cocaine supplied by Garcia and distributed by Griffin in Alabama and Michigan. Garcia admitted to directing Griffin to Detroit to collect a drug debt, resulting in the murders of two individuals in December 2016. Garcia and Griffin also admitted to distributing between 50 and 150 kilograms of cocaine during the course of their illegal enterprise.

“Today’s sentences should serve as a stern warning to those who engage in violent drug-related activities,” said U.S. Attorney Ison. “Our aim is to bring justice to the victims’ families and peace to the community.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, Devin J. Kowalski, also commented on the sentences. “We hope this brings some measure of relief to the victims’ families. The defendants’ actions were indefensible and we are thankful for the efforts of our federal, state, and local partners in resolving this case.”

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