A Mexican national has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute 116 kilograms of methamphetamine and for illegal possession of ammunition and multiple firearms, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Eustorgio Quiroz-Salto, 41, pleaded guilty on July 11, 2024. U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett ordered him to serve 240 months in federal prison and mandated the forfeiture of all weapons and ammunition seized during the investigation. Quiroz-Salto is expected to face removal proceedings after completing his sentence.
The court reviewed evidence regarding Quiroz-Salto's previous convictions for cocaine trafficking in the Southern District of Florida in 2011.
“Public safety begins with taking the most dangerous recidivists off the street,” said Ganjei. “When a defendant, like the one here, illegally enters our country three times, engages in drug trafficking despite having prior drug convictions, and illegally possesses firearms, he better believe we’re going to come looking for him.”
Special Agent in Charge Jonathan C. Pullen of the DEA – Houston Division added: “Not only was Quiroz-Salto in the country illegally, but when Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents arrested him, they uncovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine destined for our communities. He was caught in the act, selling deadly drugs near a place of worship, and now he'll spend two decades behind bars paying the price for his reckless actions that threatened to destroy lives.”
Quiroz-Salto was apprehended on December 12, 2023 after arranging a delivery of over 20 kilograms of methamphetamine—also known as "ice"—in a church parking lot in Crosby. Authorities arrested both Quiroz-Salto and Manuel Varjas Corona at the scene and confiscated several kilograms of narcotics from their vehicle.
Law enforcement later searched Quiroz-Salto’s residence and found an additional 93.5 kilograms of methamphetamine along with twelve firearms, a silencer, hundreds of rounds of live ammunition, and various firearm parts.
Records show that Quiroz-Salto had previously been removed from the United States twice—in 2007 and again in 2008—but returned illegally each time.
Quiroz-Salto will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
Corona, who is also a Mexican national residing unlawfully in Houston, has pleaded guilty as well and faces up to life imprisonment at sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by DEA with support from agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations; FBI; Harris County Sheriff’s Office; and Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley J. Sullivan prosecuted this case.
