Federal charges were filed Wednesday against two sisters alleging that they conspired to distribute more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine in the Las Vegas area and laundered more $160,000 of drug proceeds through their bank accounts and safety deposit boxes, Nevada's U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden said.

Melba Lozoya-Mendoza, 35, and Llasmin Lozoya-Mendoza, 25, of Las Vegas, each were indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, one count of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. They were arrested April 20 following the filing of a criminal complaint, and are in federal custody awaiting trial. If convicted, they each face at least 10 years in prison and a $4 million fine.

In 2008, members of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force in Las Vegas began an investigation targeting the illegal distribution of methamphetamine. According to court records, on April 16 a federal agent working undercover as a drug runner purchased roughly one pound of methamphetamine from Melba Lozoya-Mendoza outside the hair salon she worked at in Las Vegas.

On April 20, prior to the sale of additional methamphetamine to the undercover agent, task force officers pulled Melba Lozoya-Mendoza over in the car she was driving for a traffic violation, and recovered approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, officials said.

Federal agents executed a search and seizure warrant at the apartment where Melba and her sister Llasmin Lozoya-Mendoza resided, and recovered roughly 20 pounds of methamphetamine from the master bedroom that Melba shared with her 14-year-old son. Agents also located information related to six bank accounts and two safety deposit boxes at Wells Fargo Bank, and it was further determined that Llasmin Lozoya-Mendoza was employed by the bank. Federal agents executed search warrants for those accounts and safety deposit boxes, recovering $167,332.

The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on July 23 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence Leavitt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kishan Nair, and investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, and members of the task force.