Norfolk Man Sentenced for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Gustavo Araiza, Jr., age 28, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced October 23, 20224 in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Araiza, Jr. to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Araiza, Jr. is released from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. 

An undercover officer was utilized to purchase drugs directly from Araiza, Jr.  On September 27, 2023, Araiza Jr. agreed to sell one pound of methamphetamine and 100 fentanyl pills.  Araiza, Jr. met the undercover officer in his vehicle with a black backpack.  Araiza, Jr. removed the drugs from the backpack and sold them to the undercover officer.

On October 5, 2023, law enforcement arranged the undercover officer to purchase three pounds of methamphetamine and 100 fentanyl pills.  The drug transaction took place in the undercover officer’s vehicle.  The undercover officer provided Araiza, Jr. $12,500.00 in prerecorded drug fund money.  Law enforcement executed a search warrant where Araiza, Jr. was staying and arrested him with all of the $12,500.00 buy money.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.