Honduran and Guatemalan nationals sentenced for distributing methamphetamine

LAREDO, Texas - Two people from Central America have been sentenced for drug trafficking in the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Sanmy Elieser Gonzalez, 35, Honduras, and Iris Graciela Hernandez-Castaneda, 34, Guatemala, both pleaded guilty Aug. 25, 2022.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana has now ordered Gonzalez to serve 60 months in federal prison, while Hernandez-Castaneda received a 70-month-sentence. Not U.S. citizens, both are expected to face removal proceedings following their imprisonment.

The investigation revealed Gonzalez and Hernandez received loads of methamphetamine in the Houston area had been smuggled into the United States in the vicinity of Laredo. The narcotics would then be further distributed to others.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation dubbed Operation Siete Pinguinos. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Sturgis prosecuted the case.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice's OCDETF webpage.