News Release [printer-friendly version]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2007
For Information Contact:
Ramona Sanchez (DEA) 602-664-5725

Phoenix Meth Dealer Sentenced to 14 Years

MAY 29 -- PHOENIX – Hector Lopez-Salazar, 26, of Esperana, Sinaloa, Mexico, was sentenced here on May 21 to 168 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone. Lopez-Salazar had pleaded guilty on December 1, 2006 to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.

Lopez-Salazar admitted to distributing methamphetamine in the Phoenix area from August 2004 through March 2006. The case involved seizures across the United States and in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. One of the people to whom Lopez sold methamphetamine, Raphael Gomez, is currently serving a 188 month sentence for drug distribution, is estimated to have had more than 200 drug sub-accounts across the United States, including in Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, California, and Oregon. Lopez-Salazar received an enhancement for being an organizer/manager in the conspiracy, which involved sales to truck drivers passing through Phoenix who then distributed methamphetamine to destinations across the United States.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The prosecution was handled by Brian G. Larson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.