Susan T. Lehr, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska
Carlos Loya-Rodriguez, a 33-year-old resident of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced on February 19, 2025, in Omaha federal court for his involvement in drug trafficking activities. Acting United States Attorney Matthew Molsen announced that Loya-Rodriguez received a sentence of 70 months' imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. presided over the sentencing.
Upon completion of his prison term, Loya-Rodriguez will serve a three-year supervised release period. Additionally, he is required to forfeit $61,195 in U.S. currency linked to his drug trafficking operations.
The investigation revealed that on January 2, 2024, an undercover agent purchased 445.3 grams of methamphetamine from Loya-Rodriguez in Omaha. Subsequently, on February 5, 2024, law enforcement officers observed him leaving his residence and conducted a traffic stop after witnessing traffic violations. A K9 unit detected narcotics in the vehicle during the stop. Officers found 419.9 grams of methamphetamine and $20,225 in cash inside the vehicle.
On the same day, a search warrant executed at Loya-Rodriguez's Omaha residence led to the seizure of additional drugs and paraphernalia: 450 grams of methamphetamine, 344 grams of cocaine packaged in multiple baggies, a scale with suspected drug residue, $40,970 in cash, and money wire receipts.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Omaha Police Department as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. The OCDETF program aims to identify and dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies.
Further details about OCDETF can be accessed at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
