Leader of meth trafficking ring operating in Houston sentenced to 30 years in prison

HOUSTON – A 37-year-old Mexican citizen has been ordered to federal prison following his involvement in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a large amount of meth within the Houston area, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Custodio Carrasco-Garcia aka Ariel was illegally residing in Houston. He pleaded guilty Feb. 21.

Today, U.S. District Judge David Hittner handed Carrasco-Garcia a 360-month term of imprisonment. Not a U.S. citizen, Carrasco-Garcia is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.

At the hearing, the court heard information that he ran a local drug trafficking organization with providers in Mexico and participated in running a stash house. In handing down the sentence, Judge Hittner noted Carrasco-Garcia’s two previous drug convictions and that he was on parole when he committed this offense. The court found him accountable for 30,000 kilograms of narcotics including meth and cocaine and was head of the drug trafficking cell in the Houston area, further noting the extensive involvement of others and use of a stash house.

In March 2018, authorities conducted an undercover operation to purchase meth from a suspected narcotics distributor - later identified as Carrasco-Garcia. On April 6, 2018, law enforcement observed Carrasco-Garcia as he conducted a drug transaction involving a kilogram of crystal meth. He received $53,000 in exchange for the drugs. Carrasco-Garcia delivered another kilogram of meth May 18, 2018.

On May 7, 2019, authorities conducted an undercover operation during which Carrasco-Garcia sold 155.9 kilograms of crystal meth. They arrested him shortly after the operation, at which time he again was in possession of illegal substances.

Carrasco-Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Houston Police Department and Harris County Sherriff's Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Celia Moyer prosecuted the case.