Two men sentenced on federal drug charges
Two men were sentenced to prison terms in U.S. District Court at Pocatello after pleading guilty to conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine last week.
Emmanuel Garza, 25, of Rupert was sentenced to eight years and 3 months in prison while Adolfo Mata-Lopez, 28, of Paul was sentenced to 9 years.
Court records show Garza was part of a Mini-Cassia drug trafficking investigation between January and November of 2017. Both men were arrested on November 4, 2017, when detectives caught them in middle of a drug deal. Police executed a search warrant at Meta-Lopez’ residence in Paul.
The two men and another occupant of the home ran away, but were caught. Mata-Lopez had two ounces of methamphetamine, packaged into two one-ounce baggies, in his shirt pocket.
Police found 475 grams of methamphetamine in the house. Garza admitted he intended to re-sell the drugs.
Detectives also recovered firearms, scales, and drug distribution equipment in the home.
The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA).
Minidoka County Sheriff Eric Snarr said, “We thank the diligent detectives in the Mini-Cassia Drug Task Force, our local prosecutors, the Eastern Idaho Partnership SAUSA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their cooperation. The investigation was well done, and we are thankful to have the backing of our federal partners to hold serious drug dealers in our community accountable.”
