Venezuelan National Gets More than 12 Years for Drug Trafficking, Firearms, and Meth Deal While on Bond

MIAMI - A Venezuelan national who trafficked cocaine, possessed firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking, and then arranged a methamphetamine deal while on bond has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison.

Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga sentenced Glen Sebastian Mendoza, 33, of Miami, to 147 months in federal prison following his guilty plea to drug distribution, attempted drug distribution, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

"Glen Sebastian Mendoza trafficked more than a kilogram of cocaine while armed with multiple firearms, including privately manufactured pistols without serial numbers," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "When federal agents searched his apartment, they found cocaine, three firearms, ammunition, magazines, scales, and other drug trafficking equipment. Mendoza will now spend more than 12 years in federal prison. We will continue working with DEA and our local partners to aggressively prosecute armed drug traffickers who endanger our South Florida communities."

According to court records, between September and December 2025, Mendoza distributed cocaine in Miami on multiple occasions. On Dec. 3, 2025, he was found with approximately 613 grams of cocaine while on his way to another drug deal.

A search of Mendoza's apartment uncovered additional cocaine, two privately manufactured Polymer80 pistols without serial numbers, a loaded Sig Sauer handgun, ammunition, magazines, digital scales, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia. In total, Mendoza was held accountable for more than one kilogram of cocaine.

After his arrest, Mendoza was released on bond subject to home incarceration, electronic monitoring, and other court-imposed conditions. While on pretrial release, however, Mendoza continued engaging in drug trafficking activity and coordinated a transaction involving approximately 191 grams of methamphetamine. The court subsequently revoked his bond.

U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Special Agent in Charge Miles Aley of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division made the announcement.

The DEA Miami Field Division's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force investigated the case, with assistance from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office and Miami Beach Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Almas Abdulla prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., under case number 26-cr-20003.

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