United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SAN ANTONIO - A federal judge sentenced 35-year-old ringleader Andrew Sanchez (aka “Freight,” “Hakeem”) to 15 years in federal prison for his role in a narcotics distribution operation on San Antonio’s eastside, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven S. Whipple, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney John F. Bash.

During the sentencing hearing yesterday, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery also ordered that Sanchez be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term and forfeit $2,961.00 in U.S. Currency that was proceeds from his criminal enterprise.

On July 24, 2019, Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. By pleading guilty, Sanchez admitted that from May 2018 to March 2019, he was the leader of an organization responsible for the distribution of heroin on the east side of San Antonio. The Sanchez organization operated as a full-scale delivery service for heroin to the street-level user. Street-level users contacted a set phone number (the “order phone”) to order the amount of heroin wanted and arrange for the location where the narcotics were to be delivered. The order phone holder then coordinated with organization members responsible for the delivery of the heroin. Those members then drove to the established location and delivered the heroin to the street-level user. The organization operated daily from approximately 8 a.m. until 2 a.m., with the organization members working shifts in the various roles.

To date, four defendants (including Sanchez) have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from five years to 15 years. Two defendants are awaiting sentencing and one is awaiting trial. Rodrigo Roque (aka “Scrappy”), who is charged in the conspiracy count, is scheduled for jury selection on Dec. 16, 2019.

The DEA and the Texas Department of Public Safety investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Seguin Police Department, Terrell Hills Police Department and the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.

 The principal mission of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering operations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.