Damian Erik Alcala, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Texas 2015

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Methamphetamine Trafficking Duo Sentenced to Prison

Two Amarillo men, Damian Erik Alcala and Richard Madrigal, have been sentenced to lengthy federal prison terms for their roles in a methamphetamine trafficking operation.

Alcala, 37, was sentenced to 324 months in federal prison to run consecutively to the 37-month sentence he received for his supervised release revocation. Madrigal, 42, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison to run consecutively to the 12-month sentence he received for his supervised release revocation.

The convictions stem from a large-scale methamphetamine operation that was uncovered by federal authorities in July 2015. According to court documents, law enforcement learned that a green Chevy Blazer, with Chihuahua registration, was transporting a methamphetamine solution concealed in its fuel tank from El Paso, Texas, to Amarillo.

On July 17, 2015, Alcala and Madrigal were observed arriving at a residence on Houston Street in Amarillo, where they picked up the green Chevy Blazer. Shortly thereafter, both left the residence in the white Toyota Camry. Several minutes later, they returned to the residence and Madrigal left in the white Camry.

When officers with the Amarillo Police Department arrived to secure the residence, Alcala fled on foot. Officers apprehended Madrigal and brought him back to the residence. During a subsequent search of the residence, law enforcement found three Tupperware containers containing crystal methamphetamine in the kitchen and two semi-automatic pistols.

When law enforcement searched the green Chevy Blazer’s fuel tank, they extracted approximately 84 pounds of liquid methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Amarillo Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto prosecuted the case.

The convictions demonstrate the Northern District of Texas’s commitment to combatting methamphetamine trafficking and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

Alcala and Madrigal each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

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