Fight over drug dealer's jewelry headed toward compromise

McALLEN, Texas — A convicted middle manager of a Mexican drug cartel has reached agreement with federal prosecutors to keep the fight over two pieces of confiscated jewelry from going to a jury.

Carlos Landin Martinez was sentenced to life in prison last month on drug trafficking charges. But in a separate case prosecutors pursued a thick gold chain and gem-studded pendant Landin was wearing when he was arrested while buying watermelon at a McAllen grocery store last year.

The jewelry was appraised at $12,400, and prosecutors alleged it was purchased with Landin's ill-gotten gains. Landin was reportedly the No. 2 man in Reynosa, Mexico, for the notorious Gulf drug cartel.

"The United States has reached an agreement-in-principle with Claimant Carlos Landin Martinez for an agreed resolution of this case," a motion filed by government prosecutors said.

Eric Jarvis, an attorney for Landin, confirmed both sides have agreed to compromise without going to a jury. The terms have not been established.

Possibilities would be auctioning the 24-inch 14-karat gold chain and pendant of the patron St. Jude — 10-karat gold studded with 128 diamonds, 36 emeralds and one ruby — and dividing the proceeds or the simpler "you keep one, we keep one," Jarvis said.

Landin is also awaiting trial on another drug trafficking case, in which he has pleaded not guilty on five counts.

___