CANYON COUNTY MAN FOUND GUILTY OF TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE

Following a five-day federal jury trial, a Mexican national legally living in Caldwell has been found guilty of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Javier Castaneda's sentencing is set for June 30, 2008, at 3 p.m. at the federal courthouse in Boise.

Castaneda's prosecution was part of a larger investigation known as Operation Mountain Lion. Its purpose was to trace shipments of crystal methamphetamine from their origins in Mexico drug factories through their intermediate locations in the southwestern United States to their final destinations in the hands of dealers in the Treasure Valley and elsewhere. The Idaho Operation included agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Ada and Canyon County Sheriff's Offices, the Idaho State Police and the Nampa, Caldwell and Boise Police Departments.

In Idaho, a grand jury indictment returned on July 11, 2007, charged 16 people with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Other defendants were charged in state court. Of the federal defendants, Castaneda, 43, was the only one to go to trial. Thirteen of the others have pleaded guilty, one - Irwin Tolan - is a fugitive. Charges were dismissed against the final defendant.

Among those prosecuted federally in Idaho were four Las Vegas men who were the source of the methamphetamine, three people - including Castaneda - who took care of a stash house in Caldwell where the drugs were stored, and eight local dealers.

Much of the methamphetamine came from the Mexican State of Sinaloa in 10- to 20- pound shipments through Arizona, California and Nevada. There the drugs were re-packaged in 2-, 4- or 6-pound quantities for shipment to Idaho, usually in a hidden compartment in a vehicle. The shipments came to Idaho every few days, with the cash flowing back to Mexico.

Among the evidence presented at Castaneda's trial was a videotape showing him unloading a duct-tape wrapped package from the brake light of a pickup.