Feds Nab Two in $10M Methamphetamine Sting.
McALLEN, Texas – Two men, Francisco Calderon, 27, and Jorge Alejandro Galvan-Ibarra, 30, have pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute over one kilogram of methamphetamine in a federal sting operation, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
Calderon, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Mexico residing in McAllen, brokered the transaction, while Galvan-Ibarra, an illegal alien living in the Dallas area, was set to deliver the drugs.
The duo was arrested June 3, 2014, after attempting to distribute the methamphetamine, marking the culmination of a months-long investigation.
According to court documents, Calderon had previously negotiated two other methamphetamine deals, totaling over 500 grams, with Galvan-Ibarra delivering the goods in one of the transactions.
U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez accepted the pleas and set sentencing for October 22, 2014. At that time, the pair faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison, as well as a possible $10 million fine. Both men were ordered to remain in custody pending the hearing.
The investigation, dubbed Operation Sword Fight, was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Juan F. Alanis is prosecuting the case.
The charges highlight the ongoing struggle against methamphetamine trafficking in the United States. As the nation grapples with the opioid epidemic, the resurgence of methamphetamine poses a significant threat to public health and safety.
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