United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ANCHORAGE, Alaska –  Two California men have been sentenced for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy to transport methamphetamine and heroin from the Lower 48 to Ketchikan for distribution.

Arthur Castillo, 32, of Fresno, California, and Alfonso Francisco Sandoval, 32, of Clovis, California, were both sentenced in Juneau on May 20, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to serve 11 years and 6.5 years in federal prison, respectively. In 2018, Castillo and Sandoval both pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges.

According to court documents, beginning in June 2017 and continuing through October 2017, Castillo conspired with Sandoval and other co-conspirators, to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in Ketchikan, Alaska. Castillo coordinated and directed the distribution of methamphetamine and the collection of drug proceeds from co-conspirators. Castillo would then take the money to the Lower 48 to pay for additional drugs for the conspiracy.

The investigation revealed that Castillo utilized shipping methods to transport methamphetamine and other drugs to various addresses in Ketchikan, and coordinated and directed several individuals to either receive drug packages, or send drug proceeds to the source of supply in California. Sandoval joined the conspiracy by helping Castillo transport drugs to Ketchikan and by assisting in the distribution of methamphetamine and heroin by driving Castillo to drug deals and acting as a guard during drug transactions.

The total amount of drugs seized during the course of the conspiracy was approximately 753 grams of methamphetamine, 75 grams of heroin, and marijuana intended for distribution in Ketchikan. Law enforcement also seized $16,710 in drug proceeds and property, including several firearms which were used in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. According to court documents, the amount of drugs seized is enough dosage units to supply nearly a quarter of the population of Ketchikan with methamphetamine, and nearly 750 people with heroin.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Alaska State Troopers (AST), and Ketchikan Police Department (KPD) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case.