Idaho man sentenced to 97 months on federal drug charges

POCATELLO, Idaho — A Blackfoot, Idaho, man was sentenced Tuesday on federal drug charges following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Paulino Ayala-Rodriguez, 31, was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Ayala-Rodriguez admitted knowingly selling in excess of five grams of methamphetamine to another individual in Bingham County, Idaho, in March 2011.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Idaho.

"Those who traffic in methamphetamine pose a grave danger to our community," said U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson. "Methamphetamine remains Idaho's most significant drug problem. We will work closely with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to ensure that those who seek to profit and bring this poison to our community, like Ayala-Rodriguez, face sure punishment."

As a leader in narcotics investigations and enforcement, HSI participates in key task forces around the country. HSI is committed to disrupting the illegal narcotics trade through strong investigative partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement.