Texas man sentenced to 225 months imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute cocaine while on federal supervised release

Memphis, TN – A Texas man has been sentenced to 225 months imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine while on federal supervised release. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee announced the sentence today.

According to information presented in court, in 2016, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated a drug trafficking organization distributing multiple kilograms of cocaine in the Western District of Tennessee. Rafael Garza a/k/a "Poppy", 46, was identified as the source of supply for this organization. Utilizing tractor trailers, this organization would ship kilograms of cocaine from Brownsville, Texas to Memphis. Based upon a conservative estimate, this organization was responsible for the distribution of at least 50 kilograms but less than 150 kilograms of cocaine in the Memphis area.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Disruption and dismantlement of drug trafficking organizations is a crucial mission of this office, in order to stop the supply of deadly narcotics into West Tennessee. This sentence demonstrates our commitment to impose significant consequences on such recidivist drug dealers."

Garza pleaded guilty to this offense on April 12, 2018. On July 26, 2018, U.S. Senior District Judge Samuel H. Mays sentenced Garza to 225 months imprisonment, which included a sentence for violation of federal supervised release out of Brownsville for possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jerry Kitchen and Michelle Kimbril-Parks prosecuted this case on the government’s behalf.