Mexican National Arrested with Firearms and Over 91 Pounds of Methamphetamine

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Last week, Jose Ismael Castro Leon, 47, a Mexican national living in the United States illegally, was charged by federal criminal complaint in Phoenix, Arizona with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl.

According to the complaint, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force learned that a drug transaction was scheduled to take place in a parking lot in Phoenix on September 22. Investigators established surveillance at the location and watched as the driver of a GMC Acadia, later identified as Castro Leon, showed another person the contents of a black duffle bag that he had stored in his trunk.

Investigators then approached and arrested Castro Leon, seizing approximately 56 pounds of methamphetamine from the duffle bag along with a firearm that they found in the center console of the Acadia.

In a later search of Castro Leon's apartment, investigators seized over 34 more pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 1.14 kilograms of fentanyl powder, and a second firearm.

Possession with the Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years to life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000.

Possession with the Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years to life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The DEA's Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force HIDTA conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Zander, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CASE NUMBER: 25-MJ-9413-PHX-ESW
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-158_Castro Leon

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, visit https://http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/Follow the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.