McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A businessman with links to Rio Grande Valley politicians pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering charges on Monday.

Armando Adan Aguilar Jr., 45, of Mission smuggled “thousands of kilograms of cocaine” through South Texas from 2022 to 2025, according to the criminal complaint against him, and laundered money through businesses with links to local politicians.

“Not guilty,” Aguilar said Monday afternoon, when he appeared before a federal judge for arraignment.

Aguilar spent the past 25 years smuggling cocaine and serving prison sentences.

In 2001, a law enforcement task force caught Aguilar with 10 kilograms — about 22 pounds — of cocaine.

A federal judge sentenced him to 5 years and 10 months in prison. In 2004, however, Aguilar wa

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