United States Drug Enforcement Administration

 HOUSTON – A 45-year-old Mexican citizen illegally residing in Houston has been sentenced following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute nearly 50 kilograms of various narcotics, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux of the Houston Division, and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Merbin Leodan Inestroza-Perez pleaded guilty Oct. 6.

U.S. District Judge David Hittner has now ordered Inestroza-Perez to serve 235 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, Judge Hittner noted the large number of drugs and questioned his family members on their knowledge of the extent of the quantity of narcotics. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the negative impact drugs have had on the community. The court emphasized that authorities seized 500 grams of fentanyl from Inestroza-Perez and its potential deadly effects.

The investigation revealed Inestroza-Perez was distributing meth out of a local barber shop in Houston.

On March 25, 2022, law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of 111 grams of meth from him and subsequently conducted a search of his residence. At that time, authorities discovered 30 kilograms of cocaine, nearly 18 kilograms of meth, over 500 grams of fentanyl and eight firearms. The total amount of the narcotics had an estimated street value of $850,000.

The investigation further revealed Inestroza-Perez was in league with individuals located in South Texas. The other conspirators have since been convicted and are pending sentencing.

Inestroza-Perez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jimmy Leo prosecuted the case.