article

Photo courtesy of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

PHOENIX – A Mexican man who authorities say was in Arizona illegally was arrested for reportedly having dozens of pounds of meth to distribute.

What we know:

Jose Ismael Castro Leon, 47, was arrested on Sept. 22 in a Phoenix parking lot during an alleged drug deal.

“Investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force learned that a drug transaction was scheduled to take place in a parking lot in Phoenix on September 22. Investigators established surveillance at the location and watched as the driver of a GMC Acadia, later identified as Castro Leon, showed another person the contents of a black duffle bag that he had stored in his trunk,” said a Sept. 29 news release from the United States Attorney’s Office District of Arizona.

That’s when investigators moved in, arrested Castro Leon, seized more than 56 pounds of meth and a gun. When investigators searched his apartment, they reportedly found 34 more pounds of meth, more than a kilogram of fentanyl powder and a second gun.

Dig deeper:

“Possession with the Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years to life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000,” the news release said. “Possession with the Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years to life in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000,000.”

What you can do:

Read more about this case by clicking here.

Drug BustsPhoenixNewsCrime and Public Safety