Three Houston-area residents have been sent to prison for their roles in a massive meth-trafficking operation that netted an estimated $29 million on the streets.
Eduardo Figueroa Jr., 29, of Cleveland, Cynara Lucia Sarmiento, 26, of Conroe, and Marlon Deon Martin, 31, of Conroe, each pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 777 kilograms of methamphetamine, a charge that carries a penalty of up to life in prison.
The trio was sentenced by U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane, who ordered Figueroa to serve 144 months in prison, Sarmiento to serve 60 months, and Martin to serve 37 months.
According to court documents, Figueroa was the mastermind behind the operation, which involved the recruitment of Sarmiento as his personal assistant and the use of Martin to help unload the narcotics. The meth was discovered inside metal barrels marked as mango puree during a search at a warehouse in Houston on May 12, 2021.
In addition to the prison sentences, the defendants were also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following their release from prison. Figueroa was also sentenced to 60 months in prison for his role in a separate case involving the straw purchasing of five shotguns, which was to run concurrently with his sentence in this case.
The investigation into the meth-trafficking operation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuting the case.
The estimated street value of the methamphetamine seized in this case is $29 million, making it one of the largest meth-trafficking operations in recent years in the Houston area.
Related Federal Cases
- Elias Figueroa, Heroin Possession with Intent to Distribute, New York 2014 · Puerto Rico
- Daniel Elizondo, Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Texas 2016 · Texas
- Chad Hollowell, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Texas 2015 · Texas
- Joshua Lyle Harned, Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute, Texas 2014 · Texas
- Devin Patrick Lessig, Methamphetamine Possession with Intent to Distribute, Texas 2015 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking