In a significant development for US law enforcement in the battle against cartel-related drug trafficking, Jose Ramon Castillo-Lopez, also known as "Pepo," has been handed down a life sentence in federal prison per the U.S. Attorney's Office statement from Thursday; the Mexican national, illegally residing in Texas, was the ring leader of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) with ties to a Mexican cartel.
According to court documents cited by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas, "Pepo" orchestrated a substantial trafficking operation distributing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, large quantities of cocaine, and significant amounts of heroin and fentanyl “M30” pills the drugs were flowing into numerous Texas cities and across to Mississippi while Castillo-Lopez utilized a garage in Midland for nefarious purposes, converting stolen vehicles into drug and cash smuggling machines.
Castillo-Lopez's leadership was exposed following his arrest on separate charges of attempted capital murder against a Seminole, Texas police officer; subsequent investigation and intercepted jail calls confirmed his command position within the DTO and his directive to co-defendants Myra Mendez and her brother Aaron Mendez to continue DTO operations stateside, in information detailed by the DEA.
"This federal life sentence is a significant victory for the United States in combatting the Mexican cartels and their drug trafficking organizations," said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas, Esparza emphasized the unified effort of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in securing this conviction and emphasized their continued commitment to public safety and criminal justice DEA Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James echoed this sentiment by pointing out the risks Castillo-Lopez’s actions posed to communities, "Mr. Castillo-Lopez now has a lifetime to contemplate the terrible choices he made," the DEA El Paso Division's leading agent pointed out the dedication to pursuing justice against drug traffickers.
The intensive investigation leading to Castillo-Lopez's sentencing was a collaborative effort involving the DEA, Texas Department of Public Safety, Midland Sheriff’s Office, Odessa Police Department, and the Midland Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Sloane at the prosecutorial helm.
