El Paso Man Sentenced to over 21 Years in Prison for Methamphetamine Possession

EL PASO – An El Paso man was sentenced last week to 262 months in prison for his role in methamphetamine importation and distribution.

According to court documents and testimony at trial, on April 12, 2020, Gilberto Lopez, 40, driving a 2003 GMC Yukon, applied for entry into the U.S. from Mexico at the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry.  Lopez and his passenger were referred to secondary inspection where a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) canine alerted to the vehicle for narcotics.  Subsequent inspection of the Yukon revealed two black bundles containing methamphetamine under the muffler’s shield.

On May 20, 2021, a federal jury in El Paso found Lopez guilty of one count of conspiracy to import 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; one count of importation of 500 grams of methamphetamine; one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The Government’s evidence at trial included Lopez’s fingerprint on an inside layer of one of the bundles.

Lopez has remained in federal custody since his arrest on April 12, 2020.

“We frequently highlight fentanyl, but methamphetamine trafficking continues to contribute to violent crime and tragic overdose incidents in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “The dedicated efforts of our law enforcement partners and prosecutions like this help to protect our communities by disrupting the flow of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs into the United States.”

“Collaborating with our federal partners is always a priority for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, and this sentence exemplifies the result of our unified effort to interdict, investigate and prosecute drug traffickers who continue to poison our citizens, and who are contributing to the narcotics epidemic that is ravaging our country,” said Francisco B. Burrola, Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso. “HSI will continue to aggressively target, disrupt and dismantle the highest levels of transnational criminal organizations with the goal of disrupting the flow of drugs into our communities.”

HSI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Ganz and Stanley Serwatka prosecuted the case.

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