Cesar Alzuarte-Rodriguez, Methamphetamine Distribution, OK 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY – Cesar Alzuarte-Rodriguez, 43, an illegal alien from Mexico, is facing 35 years behind bars after being sentenced for orchestrating a sprawling, international methamphetamine distribution network that operated out of Oklahoma City. U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing announced the sentence on August 26, 2020, marking a significant blow to the drug trade in the region. Alzuarte is the 23rd defendant sentenced so far in this case, with the collective penalties totaling a staggering 168 years in federal prison.

The indictment, originally filed on March 17, 2018, and later superseded on June 5, 2018, laid out a detailed account of Alzuarte-Rodriguez and his co-conspirators’ activities. They were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, distribution of the drug, maintaining drug-involved premises, and firearms/money laundering violations. Investigators revealed that Alzuarte acted as the head of the organization, responsible for illegally importing methamphetamine from Mexico via supply lines in Arizona, Colorado, and California.

Oklahoma City served as a central hub for the operation, with numerous houses utilized for storing and redistributing the methamphetamine. When law enforcement moved in on March 8, 2018, they seized a massive haul: 248 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $1,000,000, over $275,000 in cash, and 10 firearms. The scale of the operation underscores the immense damage Alzuarte and his crew were inflicting on communities across multiple states.

Alzuarte pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracy charge on March 4, 2019. As part of his plea agreement, he forfeited the seized assets – the cash, firearms, a property located at 639 SE 10th Street used as a drug house, and multiple vehicles employed by the trafficking organization. U.S. District Court Judge Scott L. Palk, in handing down the 420-month sentence (35 years), explicitly cited Alzuarte’s illegal alien status, his role as the leader of the multi-state drug ring, and the sheer volume of “poison” he unleashed on vulnerable communities.

Alzuarte isn’t the only one facing consequences. Several co-defendants have already received their sentences. Miguel Berzosa-Flores, 52, received 168 months. Federico Rios-Aranda, 46, got 144 months. Monica Bojorquez, 38, 84 months. Armando Herrera-Garcia, 38, a mere 18 months. Mayra Medina, 36, 24 months. Elias Sotelo-Tena, 26, received 3 years probation. Albino Gonzalez-Gandarilla, 43, 156 months. Enoc Ricado-Santiago, 21, 96 months. Guillermo Cardona-Figueroa, 24, 37 months. Christian McKinney, 23, 48 months. Carlos Estrada-Mojarro, 22, 24 months. Luis Vega Maldonado, 41, 144 months. Jesus Manuel-Lopez, 24, 204 months. Erik Osualdo Montelongo, 36, 30 months. Zephyran Shawn Hayes, 41, 180 months. Jeremy Wright, 42, 120 months. Brandon Ramirez-Garcia, 23, 108 months. Jazmine Altamarino, 48, 18 months. Mayra Cabello-Tierablanca, 32, 18 months.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to unravel the full extent of the organization’s reach. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of methamphetamine trafficking and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to dismantle these criminal enterprises. Alzuarte will serve four years of supervised release following his prison term.