Jose Nunez, a 43-year-old resident of Lancaster, was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison for his role in trafficking methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston issued the sentence, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Eric Grant.
Court records show that Nunez worked for a drug-trafficking organization based in Mexico. This group imported large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl into the United States before being dismantled by law enforcement in June 2024 during an operation known as “Toxic Waste.”
Nunez acted as a stash house operator, maintaining the organization’s drugs in the country and distributing them to others for resale. He also participated in setting up and running a laboratory that converted liquid methamphetamine into crystal form.
Authorities arrested Nunez along with 14 others following an investigation that led to the seizure of more than 12,900 pounds of methamphetamine, over 50 pounds of fentanyl mixture, 39 pounds of cocaine, and 22 pounds of heroin. For sentencing purposes, Nunez was held responsible for distributing 3,500 pounds of methamphetamine. Investigators uncovered evidence showing that the organization smuggled drugs using various methods such as hiding substances inside portable projectors and batteries under the cover of a legitimate transportation business. Methamphetamine was also concealed within semi-trucks and liquid forms were transported inside car gas tanks across the border.
The investigation involved several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Marshals Service; California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office’s Inland Regional Narcotics Enforcement Team; Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team; and Los Angeles Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Cody S. Chapple prosecuted the case.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation—a program focused on identifying, disrupting, and dismantling major criminal organizations threatening national security through coordinated efforts among multiple agencies (more information at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF).
Additionally, this prosecution falls under Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), which targets reducing synthetic opioid supplies in high-impact areas by identifying wholesale distributors both domestically and internationally—a Justice Department initiative launched in July 2018 that operates within ten federal districts including the Eastern District of California.
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