Guatemalan Man Sentenced for Role in Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Nelson Moran, age 31, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced yesterday to 24 months in prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

As part of his prior guilty plea, Moran admitted that on July 31, 2024, his co-conspirator asked him to deliver a package to another individual in Saratoga Springs, New York. Moran agreed and delivered the package-which, as he knew, contained over 200 grams of methamphetamine-before he was arrested. The delivery took place near the Saratoga Race Course, where Moran worked.

United States District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino also imposed a 1-year term of supervised release to begin after Moran is released from prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, "Nelson Moran was permitted to enter this country so that he could work an honest job, and he abused that opportunity by conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. He will now be going to federal prison, and will then be deported and forever barred from lawfully re-entering the United States. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to identify, arrest and prosecute these dangerous and despicable drug peddlers."

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III stated, "This case underscores the DEA's commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations that threaten the safety of our communities. By intercepting this shipment of methamphetamine, we have removed a significant quantity of a dangerous drug from our streets and sent a clear message: those who seek to profit from poisoning our neighborhoods will be met with decisive action."

The DEA and Saratoga Springs Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa prosecuted the case.