United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment today against Israel Chavez Tamayo, 33, of Fresno, charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, distribution of cocaine, distribution of methamphetamine, and two counts of possessing methamphetamine and heroin with the intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and DEA Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen announced.

According to court documents, Tamayo negotiated the sale of 8 kilograms of methamphetamine and 1 kilogram of heroin to an individual and was then stopped on his way to deliver the drugs. Officers found approximately 17 pounds of methamphetamine and over 2 pounds of heroin in his vehicle. An additional quantity of methamphetamine and heroin was found at his residence pursuant to a search warrant.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, California Highway Patrol, the Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Team, the Madera County Narcotic Enforcement Team, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fresno High Impact Investigation Team. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel J. Montoya is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Tamayo faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. The OCDETF Program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s drug supply.