Ricardo Rodriguez, a 61-year-old resident of Ontario, Oregon, has been sentenced to 155 months in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit.
Court documents revealed that Rodriguez was part of a drug trafficking organization based in eastern Oregon and supplied methamphetamine to co-conspirators for redistribution in Idaho. Investigations indicated that he distributed approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine weekly.
A search warrant executed on January 24, 2024, at Rodriguez's residence uncovered an unlawfully possessed .40 caliber firearm, several thousand dollars in cash, hundreds of fentanyl pills, and an ounce of methamphetamine.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford ordered Rodriguez to serve five years of supervised release post-incarceration.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit stated: “This is another example of our law enforcement partners working together to ensure that drug traffickers are held accountable for distributing controlled substances in our communities.” He emphasized that traffickers will face prosecution regardless of state boundaries.
David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division, remarked: “Methamphetamine traffickers like Mr. Rodriguez profit from the pain they cause selling poison to our neighbors.” He expressed satisfaction with the outcome due to effective collaboration among law enforcement agencies.
Nampa Police Sergeant Shane Huston highlighted the importance of teamwork: “Teamwork is critical to stop drug trafficking groups... If we didn’t have effective partnerships, we would not be as successful as we are in catching these career criminals.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Nampa Police Department Special Investigations Unit, Boise Police Department, Meridian Police Department, and Oregon High Desert Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse prosecuted the case.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks through a coordinated approach involving various law enforcement agencies.
The High Desert Drug Task Force operates with support from the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) using an intelligence-driven strategy to combat drug trafficking organizations across jurisdictions.