A Las Vegas man has been convicted on federal drug charges for smuggling nearly 30 pounds of methamphetamine from Victorville to Florida, federal prosecutors said.
A federal jury from Tampa, Florida has found 34-year-old Noel Alfredo Garcia guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamines as well as possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of the drug, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.
He conspired with Jesus Andres Villapudua, 35, of San Luis, Arizona, to smuggle the drugs from Victorville to Lakeland, Florida, according to a DOJ statement.
“Villapudua coordinated the shipment and engaged Garcia to transport the methamphetamine,” the statement said. Phone records show that Garcia was in constant communication with Villapudua leading up to and during the transport.
Florida Highway Patrol officers stopped Garcia while he was driving on Jan. 29 and found the drugs in the trunk of his car, officials said.
“Prior to this delivery, Garcia made multiple other trips throughout the United States to transport narcotics and the proceeds from the sale of narcotics,” the statement said.
Villapuda pleaded guilty in May to the same charges as Garcia, authorities said.
The men each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, and possible maximum sentences of life in prison.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Las Vegas man convicted of drug trafficking from Victorville to Florida
