TRENTON, N.J. - A South Gate, California, man who was arrested with 29 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in a tractor trailer was sentenced today to 63 months in prison, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Tomas Lopez Beltran, 46, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti to an information charging him with one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Judge Martinotti imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements in the court:
On Oct. 28, 2016, law enforcement lawfully searched a tractor trailer driven by Beltran and recovered approximately 29 kilograms of methamphetamine and $73,500 in cash from a concealed compartment located inside the cab of the trailer. Beltran admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine and cash to an individual in Georgia.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinotti sentenced Beltran to three years of supervised release
Acting U.S. Attorney Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl J. Kotowski in Newark, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elaine K. Lou and Karen D. Stringer of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.
Defense counsel: Eric J. Marcy Esq., Woodbridge, New Jersey
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
