United States Drug Enforcement Administration

MEDFORD, Ore.—A man believed to reside in Yakima, Washington who was caught transporting more than 55 pounds of methamphetamine and more than a thousand fentanyl pills in Southern Oregon was sentenced to federal prison on December 20, 2023.

Daniel Martin Ponce-Gonzalez, 39, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on June 19, 2021, law enforcement stopped a black sedan traveling north on U.S. Route 97 in Klamath County, Oregon. The driver, Ponce-Gonzalez, provided officers with a false name and fake identification documents. During the stop, officers observed signs of drug trafficking and obtained consent from Ponce-Gonzalez and a passenger to search the vehicle. Officers discovered a hidden compartment near the vehicle’s trunk containing more than 55 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately two pounds each of fentanyl pills and cocaine. Ponce-Gonzalez and his passenger were arrested without incident.

On August 5, 2021, Ponce-Gonzalez was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine. Later, on March 3, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Ponce-Gonzalez with one count of possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from Oregon State Police (OSP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

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