Zachary T. Lee Acting United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
A California man has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine from California to Virginia. Raul Valencia Gonzalez, 40, admitted to transporting more than 100 pounds of the substance over a distance exceeding 2,500 miles to aid a larger drug trafficking organization.
Court documents reveal that in 2024, Gonzalez traveled the lengthy route with approximately 105 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in various parts of his vehicle, including the trunk and beneath the driver's seat. Additionally, the government's sentencing memorandum noted the presence of photos on Gonzalez's cell phone showing what appeared to be methamphetamine and cocaine.
Gonzalez acknowledged receiving a $4,000 payment for his role as a courier in transporting the drugs.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Ibrar A. Mian, the Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Washington Division. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration carried out the investigation, and the prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Welsh and Vito A. Iaia.
