United States Drug Enforcement Administration

INDIANAPOLIS - Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Indianapolis, and U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers for the Southern District of Indiana announced that Tyler Sanders, 41, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 183 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, in February 2019, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents became aware of a large drug trafficking operation in Indianapolis that was responsible for transporting drug proceeds to Mexico. On April 5, 2019, HSI agents conducting surveillance of the residence saw Sanders load a Chevrolet Suburban with large, black, plastic trash bags. Sanders left the residence while driving the Suburban.

IMPD officers conducted a traffic stop of the Suburban for speeding along Massachusetts Avenue. Upon obtaining a positive K-9 alert on the vehicle, officers located the black plastic trash bags in the rear of the vehicle. Inside the plastic bags, officers located smaller, plastic bags containing a total of 33.51 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.98 kilograms of plastic wrapped “bricks” that tested positive for fentanyl.

Joining DEA ASAC Gannon and U.S. Attorney Myers in making the announcement were R. Sean Fitzgerald, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Chicago, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Police Chief Randal Taylor.

“We know that a majority of the fentanyl and meth plaguing our streets ultimately comes from international cartels operating across the southern border,” said U.S. Attorney Myers. “Cutting off suppliers who are responsible for selling and transporting drugs from Mexican cartels is a priority of federal law enforcement. We, alongside HSI and DEA, are committed to weeding out these offenders and making an example of their criminal behavior with serious federal prison sentences.”

Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Indiana State Police and IMPD investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II. Judge Sweeney also ordered that Sanders be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years following his release from federal prison and pay a $2,000 fine. 

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Peter A. Blackett, who prosecuted this case.