Erick Chaparro-Gamboa of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced on April 17 to 54 months in federal prison for conspiring to transport 58 kilograms of cocaine into West Tennessee, according to a statement released April 28 by United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant.
The case is significant due to the large quantity of narcotics involved and the collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies. The seizure, which had an estimated street value of $750,000, demonstrates ongoing efforts by authorities to address drug trafficking in the region.
According to information presented in court, Chaparro-Gamboa was stopped by Texas Department of Safety troopers on August 9, 2025. A search revealed cocaine hidden inside a speaker box in his vehicle. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) assisted after being contacted by state officials. Investigators determined that the drugs were intended for distribution in West Tennessee.
A federal grand jury indicted Chaparro-Gamboa on September 9, and he pleaded guilty on January 9. In addition to his prison sentence handed down by United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker, he will serve three years of supervised release following incarceration.
Dunavant said, "Criminal enterprises that distribute harmful drugs into West Tennessee can no longer hide. We are taking the fight to the drug trafficking organizations who want to poison our citizens for their greed and profit. I commend the outstanding investigative efforts by DEA and our other state and local law enforcement partners in this important and impactful case." Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott from DEA's Louisville Field Division said: "Mexican drug traffickers are on notice…you and your poison are not welcome here, find a new line of work... This case highlights how effective law enforcement can be when we all work together, from the state and local level up to the federal level."
Multiple agencies participated in investigating and prosecuting this case: DEA offices from Memphis and Amarillo; Homeland Security Investigations from McAllen; Texas Department of Safety; Germantown Police Department; with Assistant United States Attorney Gregory D. Allen leading prosecution.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee advances community safety through federal law enforcement initiatives as well as public outreach efforts according to its official website. It is one of ninety-three offices under the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website.
This office handles prosecutions involving violations of federal criminal laws as well as defending civil matters where the United States is a party according to its official website. Serving all areas within Western District boundaries according to its official website, it operates out of Memphis and Jackson locations according to its official website. As a key prosecutorial entity dating back more than two centuries according to its official website, it continues working against crime across western Tennessee.
