Gabino Peralta-Saucedo distributed cocaine through Manatee County for several Mexican drug cartels.

There are 195 countries in the world today. At the time of his arrest, Gabino Peralta-Saucedo was wanted in all but 15.

Peralta-Saucedo, who was believed to be among Mexico’s largest drug lords and who operated in conjunction with some of the most violent cartels in the world, had a substantial cocaine-distribution foothold in Manatee County, one worth perhaps hundreds of millions of dollars.

For over a decade, according to the United States Department of Justice, Peralta-Saucedo was responsible for the smuggling and sale of at least 12,000 kilograms of cocaine — about 13 tons — in Manatee County and worked with cartels known for grisly murders and beheadings in doing so.

One kilogram of cocaine is 1,000 grams, but the street value varies on different factors, such as a city’s proximity to the drug’s origin. According to a website called Narcotic News, a kilogram of cocaine in Orlando sells for between $21,000 and $31,000.

Estimating a kilogram is worth $25,000, that would mean $300 million worth of cocaine was distributed in Manatee County from 2001 to 2011 at the direction of one person.

On Friday, Peralta-Saucedo pleaded guilty in Tampa to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and a quantity of heroin. He faces up to life in federal prison.

According to his plea agreement, Peralta-Saucedo was involved with 12 co-conspirators. His parents — or at least the home of his parents — and a brother in Manatee County were also named as being involved.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. A spokesperson for the FBI said there would be no comment on the case at this time. Nor would the agency provide Peralta-Saucedo's date of birth or a booking photo.

'The Pony,' 'The Friend' and lots of cocaine

The 43-year-old — nicknamed “The Pony’’ and “The Friend’’ — was arrested in Mexico in 2016 and was extradited to the United States in September.

Media reports at the time of his arrest said he was wanted in 180 countries.

The plea agreement said he smuggled and distributed cocaine in Manatee County on behalf of Mexican drug cartels that included La Familia Michoacan and Los Caballeros Templarios, and worked in cooperation with Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel.

Los Zetas is now considered the most dangerous cartel in Mexico after its members split from the Gulf Cartel in 2010.

La Familia Michoacan or “The Family’’ is known for its unusually violent actions. The cartel reportedly once threw five severed heads onto the dance floor of a crowded nightclub with the message: “The Family doesn’t kill for money. It doesn’t kill women. It doesn’t kill innocent people, only those who deserve to die. Know that this is divine justice.’’

According to the plea agreement, from 2001 to 2011 an unnamed co-conspirator sold a “minimum’’ of 12,000 kilograms of cocaine in Manatee County at the direction of Peralta-Saucedo.

From 2004 to 2007, a third co-conspirator distributed more than 500 kilograms of cocaine in Manatee County, which was regularly supplied by Peralta-Saucedo.

Beginning in 2007, another unnamed co-conspirator smuggled cocaine from Atlanta to Manatee County on at least seven different occasions at Peralta-Saucedo’s direction and on every occasion the deliveries were made to the home of Peralta-Saucedo’s parents. Each load was at least six kilograms.

From 2005 to 2007, yet another unnamed co-conspirator distributed 120 kilos of cocaine in Manatee County under Peralta-Saucedo’s direction.

In 2006, two co-conspirators were stopped at the Hidalgo port of entry in Texas with more than eight kilos of cocaine they were trying to smuggle into Manatee County, and the process was traced to Peralta-Saucedo.

Another incident traced to him happened in 2011 when the Florida Highway Patrol stopped a car in Alachua County and discovered more than four kilograms of cocaine. The driver was attempting to smuggle the drugs into Manatee County, according to the plea agreement, on behalf of the defendant, who arranged the shipment from Mexico and was attempting to have it delivered to his brother.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and Attaché’s Office in Mexico City assisted with the extradition process.