HSI Tucson investigation results in Honduran national sentenced to 8 years for conspiracy to import methamphetamine
TUCSON, Ariz. – On June 23, a Honduran national was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison followed by 60 months of supervised released for his involvement in a conspiracy to import methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations.
Sergio Geovany Cruz-Sabillon, 32, of Rio Lindo, Honduras, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins, who previously pleaded guilty to drug charges.
“Narcotics destroy lives, infiltrate our communities, and compromise the public’s safety,” said Scott Brown, special agent in charge, HSI Phoenix. “This significant sentence is fitting of the serious crime committed by this defendant. HSI is committed to combatting drug smuggling.”
On Oct.1, 2019, Cruz-Sabillon orchestrated the importation of 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds) of pure methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico through the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales. CBP officers intercepted and arrested the driver transporting the drugs before she could travel further into the country.
The evidence showed that Cruz-Sabillon managed and directed this smuggling incident and had encouraged the driver of the narcotics to bring along her young children. Cruz-Sabillon himself had illegally entered the United States a few months before the offense and had set up residence in Tucson.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Lizano, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
Learn more about narcotics smuggling in Arizona at @HSIPhoenix.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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