Two former Las Vegas residents have each been sentenced to 32 years in prison in federal court here for their role in a huge methamphetamine distribution and money laundering scheme.

Benjamin Acuna, 31, and Anabel Valenzuela, 25, were given the stiff sentences on Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Susan Oki Mollway.

Acuna and Valenzuela were found guilty by a federal court jury in September 2008 of the drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. said evidence presented during their trial showed Acuna and Valenzuela were the leaders of a drug trafficking ring that shipped thousands of pounds of methamphetamine from Las Vegas to Hawai'i from 2002 to September 2005.

Mollway also ordered the pair to forfeit their interests in five real estate properties in Las Vegas as well as the contents of five bank accounts and a safety deposit box, also in Las Vegas.

An $8 million money judgment in favor of the government was also made against Valenzuela and Acuna, representing the estimated profit the organization made from the sale and distribution of 2,000 pounds of methamphetamine here.

To date, 23 people have been prosecuted and convicted of federal offenses for their roles in the drug ring, Kubo said.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Inciong and Clare F. Connors.