United States Drug Enforcement Administration

HOUSTON – Two local men have been ordered to federal prison for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute meth, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brian Leardo of the Houston Division and Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding Edgar Prudencio Ruiz, 24, and Damian Lee Gutierrez, 24, guilty Nov. 18, 2025, following a two-day trial.

U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen has now imposed a 162-month term of imprisonment for both men. They must also serve five years of supervised release following their sentences. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence the meth was imported from Mexico and that the two men had been in contact with others regarding price and delivery. The court also considered information about their involvement in prior shootings and carrying loaded firearms during the drug transactions. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Hanen noted the extremely large amount of pure meth involved in the case.

At trial, the jury heard that Guiterrez and Ruiz had delivered five kilograms of meth to an undercover officer June 17, 2025. Authorities subsequently followed the men as they entered an apartment. Both men later exited the residence with Ruiz carrying a box which he placed in the backseat of a Toyota Tacoma. Guiterrez and Ruiz left in the vehicle, after which law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, and a K-9 alerted to the left passenger door.

Authorities discovered the box in the truck contained 10 gallon-sized bags filled with crystal meth. They also found two loaded 9mm pistols. One was near the ignition, while the other - with an extended magazine - was under the front passenger seat. 

Testimony further revealed Gutierrez believed the bags contained meth and admitted he had additional quantities at his residence. 

Authorities executed a search warrant and seized approximately 122 more gallon-sized bags of crystal meth from the residence, each weighing approximately one kilogram.

In total, they discovered approximately 137 bags totaling nearly 133 kilograms of actual meth with an estimated street value of over $200,000. 

The defense cited lack of fingerprint evidence and attempted to convince the jury the men did not actually possess the drugs. They did not believe the claims and found Gutierrez and Ruiz guilty as charged. 

Both will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Harris County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, police departments in Houston, Pasadena, Stafford and La Porte as well as Harris County Sherrif’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer B. Lowery and Eric Smith prosecuted the case.