Jalisco New Generation Cartel drug distributor gets 9 years for trafficking meth and heroin in Washington

By Gangsters Inc. Editors

A significant drug distributor for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was sentenced in Seattle district court on Tuesday to 9 years in prison. 32-year-old Adrian Izazaga-Martinez, of Kent, Washington, “was a high-level drug redistributor for a trafficking organization that was bringing upwards of 20-pound shipments of meth and heroin into our area,” said U.S. Attorney Nick Brown.

A multi-agency law enforcement team, which included the DEA and ATF, began investigating drug trafficking tied to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel between September 2019 and December 2020. During the investigation, agents conducted thousands of hours of physical and electronic surveillance, secured tracking warrants for more than 100 telephones and/or vehicles, obtained authorization to intercept more than 25 target telephones and executed search warrants at suspected drug traffickers’  residences.

The investigation revealed the trafficking organization was bringing in large amounts of meth and heroin as well as fentanyl-laced pills and cocaine. The distribution ring operated in King, Snohomish, Lewis, and Pierce Counties. The investigation also revealed members of the ring were plotting assaults, kidnappings and intimidation using firearms – law enforcement had to intervene multiple times in an effort to prevent violence.

Izazaga-Martinez was heard on the telephone wiretaps discussing guns and threats. When he was arrested in Kent, Washington, on July 28, 2020, he had nearly $2,500 in cash. Investigators found ammunition in the car he had been riding in.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances on February 8, 2022.

Long sentence justified

In recommending an 11-year sentence, prosecutors noted that Izazaga-Martinez was repeatedly heard on the wiretap discussing guns and threats of violence. They also noted the huge amount of narcotics linked to the drug trafficking organization.

At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge John C. Cougheour said, “the size of the drug trafficking organization, the quantity of drugs, and the violence involved,” justify the long prison term.

“The risks of synthetic opioids, like methamphetamine, are well documented – according to the University of Washington Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, state drug poisonings went up by approximately 30% in 2020, with methamphetamine and other synthetic opioids (mostly fentanyl) comprising ‘a growing share of drug-caused deaths,’” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo.

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