Multiple US Men Sentenced for Meth Trafficking Across States

Three individuals involved in large-scale methamphetamine trafficking have been sentenced to significant prison terms across the U.S. Michael Thomas Martin of Beaufort received 70 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine sourced from a Mexican cartel, with sophisticated shipping methods to avoid detection. In Phoenix, Daniel Quinones-Castro was sentenced to five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine for sale and weapons misconduct, having directed couriers in trafficking over seven pounds each of methamphetamine and cocaine, and attempting to smuggle a belt-fed rifle into Mexico. In Las Vegas, Efrain Macias-Amaral, an undocumented immigrant, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distributing and possessing more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine between June and July 2024, including a traffic stop that uncovered over 11 kilograms of the drug. These cases were investigated by the DEA in collaboration with various local law enforcement agencies and prosecuted by federal and state attorneys, highlighting ongoing federal efforts to combat drug trafficking linked to Mexican cartels. Co-conspirators in some cases received lighter sentences such as supervised probation.