Salvador Espinoza-Patino Sentenced to 23 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking

Salvador Espinoza-Patino, a 32-year-old resident of Fremont, California, has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for his involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Espinoza-Patino was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and distribution of methamphetamine. The charges were brought against him after a lengthy investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).

As part of the investigation, agents executed search warrants at several locations, including two stash houses maintained by Espinoza-Patino and his co-defendant, Alejandro Espinoza Del Toro. The search warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately 658 pounds (295 kilograms) of methamphetamine, two firearms, and several vehicles with hidden compartments.

Espinoza-Patino’s co-defendant, Alejandro Espinoza Del Toro, also received a significant sentence for his role in the operation. Del Toro, who was 24 years old at the time of his indictment, was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Both defendants were also ordered to serve a 5-year period of supervised release.

The investigation and subsequent prosecution of Espinoza-Patino and Del Toro were led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Cheng and Chinhayi Cadet prosecuted the case, which was the result of an extensive investigation by the OCDETF.

U.S. District Judge Lucy H. Koh presided over the sentencing hearing and handed down the sentences for both defendants. The defendants have been in federal custody since November 30, 2012.

The case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of engaging in large-scale drug trafficking operations. The OCDETF and other law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to disrupt and dismantle these operations and bring those involved to justice.

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