Meth Trafficking Kingpins Sentenced in McAllen

Two men charged in connection to multiple tractor trailer loads with meth have been ordered to prison in McAllen Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Dorian Hazel Ruiz-Chavez, a 36-year-old citizen of Mexico unlawfully in the United States, pleaded guilty on October 25, 2022, while Mario Alberto Ortiz, 43, of Edinburg, plead guilty on October 3, 2022.

Ruiz-Chavez, a key player in the organization, would coordinate with a Mexican narcotics supplier who would send the tractor trailers across into the United States. Once there, Ruiz-Chavez worked with additional individuals to store and transport the trailers further north.

On November 12, 2020, law enforcement seized a tractor trailer after it entered the United States through the Laredo Port of Entry. The trailer contained 119 kilograms of meth within a hidden compartment. On April 26, 2021, law enforcement seized another tractor trailer after it entered the United States through the Pharr Port of Entry. The trailer contained 90 kilograms of meth within a hidden compartment.

Following the seizures, the organization changed tactics and began to transport narcotics in smaller loads within passenger vehicles. On May 12, 2021, Luis Ramos received 42 kilograms of meth and was to transport it the following day in his personal vehicle. However, authorities stopped him and took him into custody. Ortiz recruited Ramos to transport the narcotics.

The court heard additional evidence that Ortiz owned a tractor trailer transport company and used his legitimate tractors to help transport narcotics. In sentencing Ruiz, the court noted he had direct contact with the Mexican suppliers. Even though law enforcement had seized large narcotics loads, it did not deter him from again transporting large quantities of 100% pure meth.

Ruiz-Chavez was ordered to serve 190 months in federal prison. Ortiz was ordered to serve 168 months in federal prison and further ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. Ruiz-Chavez is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. Ortiz and Ruiz-Chavez have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

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