April 17, 2026: Correctional Officer, Suspected Drug Trafficker Charged With Smuggling Cocaine Into Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES - A California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officer and a suspected drug trafficker have been charged with smuggling cocaine into Los Angeles County after 20 kilograms of cocaine was found at a stash house in Rowland Heights.

"It is reprehensible that a state corrections officer can be seduced by greed and manipulated by others to commit such crimes that endanger the public," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "We have someone who is accused of betraying the badge and the oath he swore to uphold working hand-in-hand with a suspected drug trafficker who is part of a criminal enterprise. Corruption will be prosecuted - no matter where we find it."

Jose Luis Aldahir Rocha Luque (dob 7/11/98) and Jesus Reyes (dob 12/26/80), who works for CDCR, were each charged in 26CJCF01400 with one felony count of conspiracy to sell a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale and transportation of a controlled substance from one county to another.

Arraignment is scheduled for today in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. The case was filed for warrant on March 4.

In June 2023, Luque is accused of renting a home in Rowland Heights and using the residence to store cocaine. On Aug. 1, 2023, Reyes drove from Mexico to the home and allegedly transported cocaine. Investigators found 20 kilograms of cocaine and nearly $200,000 in cash at the home.

If convicted as charged, both Reyes and Luque each face up to 20 years and four months in county jail.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Brad Harmon of the Justice System Integrity Division and remains under investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.