Beaverton Woman Admits to Funding Mexican Cartels Through Wire Transfers
Portland, OR — The owner of La Popular, a money service business with branches across Oregon and Washington, has pleaded guilty to laundering millions of dollars tied to major Mexican drug cartels.
Brenda Lili Barrera Orantes, 40, of Beaverton, entered her guilty plea on October 24, 2025, in federal court. The Guatemalan national admitted to a scheme that moved more than $4.2 million in drug trafficking proceeds between August and November 2024, through wire transfers sent to Mexico.
La Popular operated several locations in Woodburn, Hillsboro, Canby, Odell, and Beaverton, as well as multiple branches in Washington State.
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Millions Funneled to Cartels
According to court documents and Barrera Orantes’ plea agreement, La Popular wired money to destinations linked to the Sinaloa, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, and Distrito Federal cartels.
Investigators said Barrera Orantes personally handled transfers for individuals who claimed to be involved in the drug trade. In one instance, she agreed to wire nearly $50,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
To disguise the illegal transactions, Barrera Orantes and her co-conspirators used multiple stores, fabricated sender names, and split large amounts into smaller transfers — all methods designed to avoid detection by financial regulators.
In exchange for her cooperation, she received extra commissions beyond standard service fees, effectively profiting from laundering cartel money.
Federal Raid Uncovers Cash and Luxury Goods
Barrera Orantes was arrested on April 16, 2025, following coordinated searches by federal and local law enforcement at several La Popular locations and at her residence in Beaverton.
Agents seized approximately $316,542 in cash, along with a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, luxury jewelry, and designer clothing. The items were later listed as forfeited assets under her plea agreement.
Authorities said the seized property reflected the profits Barrera Orantes earned through her illegal money laundering activities.
Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison
As part of her plea deal, Barrera Orantes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. She also agreed to surrender her residence and all assets obtained through the criminal operation.
Under federal law, the charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, along with fines and forfeiture.
She is scheduled to be sentenced on January 21, 2026, before the U.S. District Court in Portland.
Ongoing Investigation
Federal investigators have not yet announced whether additional arrests will be made in connection with the case. However, court filings suggest that Barrera Orantes was part of a larger network that facilitated the movement of cartel money through seemingly legitimate money transfer businesses in the Pacific Northwest.
Officials described the case as a significant step in disrupting cartel-linked financial operations within Oregon.
