Jose Ismael Castro Leon, a 47-year-old Mexican national residing illegally in the United States, has been charged by federal criminal complaint in Phoenix, Arizona. The charges include possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.
According to the complaint, investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force received information about a planned drug transaction scheduled for September 22 in a Phoenix parking lot. Surveillance was set up at the location, where agents observed Castro Leon, identified as the driver of a GMC Acadia, showing another individual the contents of a black duffle bag from his trunk.
Authorities approached and arrested Castro Leon at the scene. They seized approximately 56 pounds of methamphetamine from the duffle bag and found a firearm in the vehicle’s center console. A subsequent search of Castro Leon’s apartment led to the discovery of more than 34 additional pounds of methamphetamine, about 1.14 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and another firearm.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years to life in prison and fines up to $10 million. Similarly, possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl is punishable by ten years to life imprisonment and fines up to $10 million.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative that coordinates resources across federal agencies to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The program brings together efforts from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The DEA’s Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force HIDTA conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Zander for the District of Arizona is prosecuting this case.
“A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
