Calif Supplier Pleads Guilty in W.Va. Meth Ring

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In a gritty turn of events, Alejandro Gallegos, also known as ‘Alex’ and ‘Rooster,’ pleaded guilty today for his pivotal role in a ruthless methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking organization.

The 41-year-old Californian was caught red-handed directing a massive shipment from California to West Virginia, with 196 pounds of meth and four kilograms of cocaine swapped for $400,000. Gallegos admitted to being a major supplier, orchestrating the illegal drug trade across state lines.

From February 2021 to March 2023, Gallegos conspired with others in the Southern District of West Virginia, as court documents reveal. His sentencing is set for October 10, 2024, where he faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and life imprisonment, not to mention a $10 million fine.

Joining him was Ildiberto Gonzalez Jr., who also pleaded guilty on September 12, 2023. The duo’s actions were part of the largest meth seizure in West Virginia history, totaling over 400 pounds of meth, 40 pounds of cocaine, and 19 firearms.

This operation, known as ‘Operation Smoke and Mirrors,’ has netted 32 individuals so far. United States Attorney Will Thompson praised the collaborative efforts of numerous federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and HSI, in dismantling such a formidable drug organization.

Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas E. Johnston oversaw the hearing, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuting the case. This investigation is a testament to the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which has been dismantling major drug trafficking operations for over four decades.

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