Mexican National Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy and Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine

TULSA, Okla. - A Mexican national was sentenced for drug conspiracy and attempted possession of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced Luis Enrique Rios-Soriano, 25, for Drug Conspiracy and Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine. Judge Russell ordered Rios-Soriano to serve 140 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

In June 2024, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers pulled over a driver for traffic violations. During a search of the vehicle, troopers located a suitcase containing 21 plastic bags containing a white substance that appeared to be methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that the driver was getting paid $4k to deliver the methamphetamine to Tulsa.

Drug Enforcement Administration agents tested the white substance and confirmed that it was methamphetamine. In a coordinated effort, agents replaced the methamphetamine with fake methamphetamine and allowed the driver to complete the transaction.

The driver met with Luis Enrique Rios-Soriano and Morgan Ashley Kirby, 20, to be paid and delivered the fake methamphetamine for further distribution.

Later, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol pulled over the vehicle Rios-Soriano was driving. Kirby was in the passenger side of the vehicle. Upon search of the vehicle, troopers discovered more than 46 pounds of fake methamphetamine and cash sitting on the floorboard of the passenger side of the vehicle.

According to court documents, Rios-Soriano admitted to conspiring with others to make money by distributing and selling methamphetamine.

Rios-Soriano's co-defendant, Kirby, was convicted by a jury in February for Drug Conspiracy and Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. She is awaiting sentencing.

Rios-Soriano will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The Drug Enforcement Administration - Tulsa and Amarillo Resident Offices, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Bailey and Christian Harris prosecuted the case.