Federal Jury Convicts Omaha Man in Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that on January 27, 2023, a federal jury in the District of Nebraska found Gilberto Aguilar-Beltran, 46, of Omaha, Nebraska guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On May 12, 2021, Omaha Police observed Aguilar-Beltran, driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee, meet up with two people driving a black SUV at a Taco Bell on South 42^nd Street. A male from the black SUV got into Aguilar-Beltran’s Jeep and they briefly drove around before returning to the Taco Bell. The male returned to the black SUV and departed at the same time as the Jeep. Omaha Police stopped the black SUV, and after completing a canine sniff of the exterior, they searched it. Officers recovered approximately one pound of meth and arrested the driver and passenger.  

Following this apparent drug transaction, OPD detectives gathered additional evidence of Aguilar-Beltran’s involvement in methamphetamine distribution. Ultimately, on July 15, 2021, officers executed a search warrant at Aguilar-Beltran’s home, locating distribution quantities of methamphetamine, cash, and a digital scale and packaging materials consistent with drug trafficking.

Investigators further determined through deconfliction and cooperation with federal investigative agencies that Aguilar-Beltran’s activities in furtherance of drug trafficking extended beyond methamphetamine distribution. A cooperating witness testified at trial that Aguilar-Beltran collected thousands of dollars in proceeds from methamphetamine sales for the organization. Additional witnesses testified that Aguilar-Beltran allowed the detached garage at his residence to be used over a period of several years for the regular off-loading of dozens of pounds of methamphetamine from a “trap” car that had been driven repeatedly to Omaha from the southwest border. The methamphetamine from the trap car was intended for distribution in Nebraska.

United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher presided over the jury trial and will sentence Aguilar-Beltran on April 27, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.