Richard Orlinski 'Sugar' Sanchez, Methamphetamine Trafficking, New Mexico 2021

A notorious New Mexico methamphetamine trafficker has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his role in a large-scale distribution operation.

Richard Orlinski 'Sugar' Sanchez, 44, of Dexter, New Mexico, was sentenced on October 12, 2021, after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to his involvement in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

Sanchez admitted to conspiring with others to distribute methamphetamine in Roswell, New Mexico, between February and August 2020. He received shipments of methamphetamine, arranged sales, delivered the drug, and sold it to customers. Sanchez used telephones to arrange sales and delivery, violating federal law.

The defendant acknowledged committing money laundering by using drug trafficking proceeds to purchase a Yukon Denali, which was registered in his mother's name to avoid scrutiny. He also asked an employee at the dealership to falsify the paperwork for the purchase, which would have required the dealership to file a report showing Sanchez had provided over $10,000.

On August 10, 2020, Sanchez fled from law enforcement after hiding a dogfood bag filled with 11.818 net kilograms of pure methamphetamine. He threw out 86.9 grams of pure methamphetamine, a gun, and a loaded magazine from his vehicle while still in possession of another loaded gun and $9,188 in cash.

Sanchez was a previously convicted felon and was not legally permitted to possess firearms or ammunition. Upon his release from prison, he will be subject to five years of supervised release. The codefendant, Ignacio 'Nacho' Chavez, was sentenced to 14 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against methamphetamine trafficking in New Mexico. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle these operations, bringing justice to those responsible for perpetuating this destructive cycle.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/drug-trafficker-sentenced-23-years-prison