Jose Ismael Castro Leon, a 47-year-old Mexican national residing illegally in the United States, was charged last week in Phoenix, Arizona with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The charges follow an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force.
According to a federal criminal complaint, DEA investigators learned of a planned drug transaction scheduled for September 22 in a Phoenix parking lot. Surveillance was established at the scene where agents observed Castro Leon, identified as the driver of a GMC Acadia, showing another individual the contents of a black duffle bag from his trunk.
Law enforcement officers approached and arrested Castro Leon at the location. They seized about 56 pounds of methamphetamine from the duffle bag and found a firearm in the vehicle’s center console. A subsequent search of Castro Leon’s apartment led to the discovery of over 34 additional pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 1.14 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and another firearm.
The charge for possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment and fines up to $10 million. Similarly, possessing with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl also carries these penalties.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America. According to officials: “Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).”
The investigation was conducted by DEA’s Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force HIDTA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Zander is prosecuting this case.
Authorities emphasized that “a criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
