HOUSTON — A former investigator in the Houston area has been convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering. 

What You Need To Know

  • Mohammed “Alex” Ahmed Kassem, 49, was convicted by a federal jury of attempted possession with intent to distribute heroin and money laundering after a four-day trial

  • Kassem worked as an investigator with the Waller County District Attorney’s Office, and according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office, he used his marked police vehicle to travel across state lines with sham heroin and cartel drug money

  • The news release goes on to say that Kassem hid money in his bulletproof vest and disguised the heroin in an evidence bag

  • A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 13, and Kassem could face up to life in prison for trafficking heroin and up to 20 years for money laundering. He could also face up to $10 million in fines

Mohammed “Alex” Ahmed Kassem, 49, was convicted by a federal jury of attempted possession with intent to distribute heroin and money laundering after a four-day trial. 

Kassem worked as an investigator with the Waller County District Attorney’s Office, and according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office, he used his marked police vehicle to travel across state lines with sham heroin and cartel drug money. He did so three separate times traveling from Louisiana to Houston and Houston to San Antonio and was paid $31,000. 

The news release goes on to say that Kassem hid money in his bulletproof vest and disguised the heroin in an evidence bag. Prosecutors presented evidence of the transactions, text messages and Kassem’s bank records.

“Kassem took the stand in his own defense claiming he had authority to commit these crimes,” the release said. “Kassem also maintained that he received implicit approval from the Waller County DA to conduct undercover investigations as part of his role at the DA’s Office.”

His former employer refuted those claims, and Kassem was found guilty after eight hours of deliberation.

“When Alex Kassem wore his Waller County peace officer credentials and Waller County-issued firearm while transporting what he thought were drugs in his Waller County-issued vehicle and then accepted what he thought was cartel drug money, he breached the most sacred of trusts—the trust a community places in its law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani in the release. “Today’s conviction brings Kassem one step closer to exchanging his peace officer attire for prison-issued garb, and to restoring a trust once lost.”

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 13, and Kassem could face up to life in prison for trafficking heroin and up to 20 years for money laundering. He could also face up to $10 million in fines.