United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SPOKANE, Wash. – Rosalio Emmanuel Sanchez, age 33, of Pasco, Washington, was sentenced on May 29, 2019, after having been convicted after a 5-day jury trial in March 2019, of one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and five kilograms of cocaine and one count of distributing 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge Wm Fremming Nielsen sentenced Sanchez to two concurrent 270-month terms of imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Senior Judge Nielsen also imposed an additional 27-month term of imprisonment to run consecutive to the 270-months, after finding that Sanchez violated court supervision stemming from a previous drug conviction.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Sanchez was a member of the Bueno Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), a part of the Sinaloa cartel. After being released from federal prison in late 2015, Sanchez began distributing pound quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in the Spokane Washington area for the Bueno DTO. During the investigation, DEA seized over 50 pounds of methamphetamine and 25 kilograms of cocaine. During sentencing, Senior Judge Nielsen concluded the Bueno DTO was responsible for importing, transporting, and distributing hundreds of pounds of narcotics into the Eastern District of Washington.

Joseph H. Harrington said, "The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Spokane Police Department, and Oregon State Patrol, who investigated this case. Their seamless partnership resulted in the successful outcome of this matter. The sentence imposed by the court removes a drug trafficker from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to engage in such criminal activity."

This case was investigated by the Tri-Cities Resident Office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Spokane Resident Office of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Spokane Police Department, and the Oregon State Patrol. This case was prosecuted by Stephanie Van Marter and Richard Barker, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.