A California man has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine from California to Virginia. Raul Valencia Gonzalez, 40, previously entered a guilty plea for possession with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.
Court documents reveal that in 2024, Gonzalez made the journey of more than 2,500 miles with approximately 105 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in his vehicle. The drugs were hidden in the trunk and beneath the driver's seat. Prosecutors presented evidence in a sentencing memorandum stating that Gonzalez had images on his phone depicting what looked like methamphetamine and cocaine.
Gonzalez admitted to receiving $4,000 for serving as a courier for the narcotics, which were destined for sale within a larger drug trafficking organization.
The announcement of the sentencing was made by Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Ibrar A. Mian, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Washington Division.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Welsh and Vito A. Iaia prosecuted the case.