California Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act

NEW ORLEANS – PEDRO VAZQUEZ, age 31, of California, pled guilty on August 15, 2023, before Chief United States District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown to a two-count superseding bill of information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and 846, and possession with intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.

According to court documents, VAZQUEZ and others known and unknown to the U.S. Attorney, conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute approximately 49.7 kilograms of methamphetamine.  In addition, VAZQUEZ drove to Metairie, Louisiana to conduct a narcotics transaction that consisted of approximately 100 pounds of methamphetamine.

VAZQUEZ is scheduled to be sentenced on December 7, 2023, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, at least 5 years of supervised release per count as well as a mandatory $100 special assessment fee per count. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.