Fernando Castro Bazan, a 33-year-old resident of El Monte, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his leadership role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. The sentencing was delivered by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta, as announced by United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
Court documents revealed that Castro Bazan sold and attempted to sell methamphetamine to an undercover officer on three occasions. On July 15, 2021, he sent a courier from Los Angeles to Roseville with 20 pounds of methamphetamine for delivery to the officer. Another courier delivered five pounds on August 12, 2021. In September of the same year, Castro Bazan promised an additional sale of 30 pounds but was thwarted when law enforcement executed a search warrant at his stash house and seized 31 pounds of methamphetamine.
While on pretrial release for this case, Castro Bazan faced arrest in San Diego on June 30, 2022, related to another federal case involving drug transportation for a Tijuana-based organization. Using his status as a club promoter and amateur musician, he recruited college-aged drivers with promises of easy money and "all-expenses-paid trips to Mexico." Several drivers were arrested at the border and now hold federal felony convictions.
Castro Bazan remained in custody during the San Diego proceedings and pleaded guilty to conspiracy and importation charges. On May 17, 2024, he received a sentence of 12 years from a federal judge in San Diego before being transported back to face sentencing in Sacramento.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Team with assistance from several other agencies including the California Highway Patrol and various local police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella prosecuted the case.