Paulino Rafael Quirazco-Valencia, Possession with Intent to Distribute, Nevada 2016

A Las Vegas man was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for his role in a heroin and methamphetamine distribution operation.

Paulino Rafael Quirazco-Valencia, 30, was sentenced to 70 months in prison and four years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 400 grams of heroin and methamphetamine.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert C. Jones in Las Vegas on [date].

The investigation into Quirazco-Valencia’s activities began in January 2016, when DEA Special Agents observed him and a co-defendant, Arnold Gutierrez, manipulating the driver’s side area inside a vehicle parked at an apartment complex.

Agents stopped the vehicle and, after obtaining consent to search, located approximately 277 grams of heroin in the center console and a Sig Sauer .38 caliber handgun underneath the front middle seat.

Quirazco-Valencia was arrested and stated that the drugs in the vehicle belonged to him and he was delivering them to a customer.

The total amount of drugs and money seized from the traffic stop and residence was 395.4 grams of heroin, 4.6 grams of methamphetamine, and $19,290 in cash.

Quirazco-Valencia’s co-defendant, Arnold Gutierrez, 30, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to two-counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 24 months in prison per count to run concurrent.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Jaroch.

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