Bakersfield Drug Dealer Sentenced To Over 11 Years In Prison
FRESNO, Calif. - Gamaliel Salas-Mendoza, aka Rene Salas-(Salas), 38, an undocumented alien from Mexico, was sentenced today to 11 years and eight months in prison for conspiring with his cousin Miguel Sanchez-Mendoza, 46, to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii also ordered Salas to register as a drug offender.
Salas was sentenced following his guilty plea in June. According to court documents, Salas and his cousin maintained a stash house in Bakersfield from where law enforcement officers seized seven pounds of methamphetamine, one and a half pounds of cocaine, and a half‑pound of heroin, all packaged for sale. In addition to the drugs, officers found and seized digital scales, precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, and $9,483 in cash. The cash has been forfeited as proceeds of drug trafficking.
Sanchez pleaded guilty and was sentenced on April 28, 2014, to eight years in prison. Both men are subject to deportation following completion of their sentences.
This case is the product of an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Kern County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Team, Kern County Sheriff’s Office Major Violators Unit, and the California Multijurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team. Assistant United States Attorney Karen Escobar prosecuted the case.
