A Mexican national was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, after being found with a substantial amount of methamphetamine and firearms, according to a Department of Justice press release. Jose Ismael Castro Leon, 47, faces charges of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl following a DEA-led operation that took place last week.
Investigators with the DEA’s East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force had been tipped off about a drug transaction occurring in a Phoenix parking lot on September 22. Established surveillance captured Castro Leon, the driver of a GMC Acadia, displaying the contents of a black duffle bag from his trunk to another individual, later leading to his arrest. Along with approximately 56 pounds of methamphetamine from the bag, a firearm was also found by the investigators in the center console of the vehicle. Charged with a federal criminal complaint, Castro Leon apparently lived in the United States illegally.
Further investigation led authorities to Castro Leon’s apartment, where an additional 34 pounds of methamphetamine were found, as well as roughly 1.14 kilograms of fentanyl powder and a second firearm. The release clarifies that possession with the intent to distribute significant quantities of either drug can result in a mandatory minimum sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison, along with potential fines of up to $10,000,000 per offense…