A Houston police officer charged with drug crimes last month in U.S. District Court in New Orleans, La. allegedly used his credit union account to funnel drug money that financed more than $193,000 in loans to buy high-end cars for members of one of the most dangerous Mexican drug cartels.

Noe Juarez was charged with conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, or crack cocaine, in Louisiana. He also was charged with conspiracy to possess firearms to support drug trafficking crimes in that state, according to court documents. If convicted, he could face a life sentence.

To build their case that Juarez was working with members of the Los Zeta Drug Cartel, federal agents subpoenaed his bank records at the $582 million Houston Police Federal Credit Union. His account showed Juarez made dozens of large cash and check payments, including two or three large cash payments in a day, which should have triggered suspicious activity reports, according to credit union compliance and regulatory experts.