Rene Garcia Jr., Jose Luis Ramirez Jr., Methamphetamine Trafficking, North Carolina 2020

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In a major blow to the methamphetamine trade, two notorious traffickers have been sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison for their roles in the distribution of the highly addictive substance in the Charlotte area.

Rene Garcia, Jr., 43, of Laredo, Texas, and Jose Luis Ramirez, Jr., 45, of Concord, North Carolina, were handed down the harsh sentences by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. last week.

The duo was arrested on August 19, 2020, after law enforcement discovered more than 230 grams of methamphetamine in their hotel room, which they had accidentally left behind after checking out.

According to court records, the pair had been trafficking narcotics in the Charlotte area, with law enforcement determining that they had distributed approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine within the previous 30 days.

In addition to the prison terms imposed, both defendants were ordered to serve 10 years under court supervision upon completion of their prison terms.

The investigation, which was handled by the DEA, Pineville Police Department, and Cornelius Police Department, also uncovered a cache of firearms, cash, and fake identification cards in the defendants’ possession.

Both Garcia and Ramirez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting. They are currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

Assistant United States Attorney Taylor G. Stoutt prosecuted the case.

The harsh sentences imposed on Garcia and Ramirez serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in methamphetamine trafficking, a crime that has devastating effects on individuals and communities.

As the Grimy Times continues to expose the dark underbelly of crime in our communities, we remain committed to bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.

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