Mexican Sentenced to Prison for Transporting a Massive Haul of Drugs in Oregon
A Mexican, who came to the U.S. five years ago to make a better life for himself, was yesterday (Thursday) sentenced to two years and nine months in federal prison for transporting a ‘massive’ haul of drugs.
Misael Cruz-Barrales (23) was stopped for speeding and following another vehicle too closely on April 23, 2023.
State Trooper Found Meth, Fentanyl, Cocaine and Heroin
A state trooper searched his vehicle and arrested Crus-Barrales after finding 52 pounds of methamphetamine, 33 pounds of powdered fentanyl, 10 pounds of cocaine, and 1.3 pounds of heroin in the trunk of his car near Salem.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis Burkhart described the drug haul as ‘massive.’ He and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Mygrant described Cruz-Barrales as ‘a courier with no prior criminal history.’ They told the court that the Mexican had been paid to deliver the drug haul to Seattle.
Cruz-Barrales was traveling north on 1-5 near Salem when he was pulled over by a state trooper. According to an affidavit, he could not produce any identification but acknowledged that he had marijuana in the vehicle.
Officers found a small amount of marijuana in the glove box and when they searched the trunk, they found two duffel bags containing the drugs haul.
The Mexican told investigators that a friend had given him a phone number to call for ‘a job.’ He was told to drive to a park in Sacramento, California, where two duffel bags were put into the trunk of his car by a woman.
He was told to call the number for further instructions when he reached Seattle, according to the affidavit. Cruz-Barrales said he was paid $400 to $500 for the trip.
Misael Cruz-Barrales Sentenced to Federal Prison
Defense lawyer Larry R. Roloff did not oppose the prison sentence, considered lenient in terms of the size of the drug haul. He said his client was born in Mexico where he lived in poverty until coming to the U.S. when he was 18.
The recommended sentence of two years and nine months was accepted by U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson who ordered Cruz-Barrales to begin serving his prison term on January 2, 2025.
His attorney said his client had been out of custody for several months. He was living with his family in California, where he remained employed. Cruz-Barrales is not a U.S. citizen and will likely be deported to Mexico after serving his prison sentence.
What was the probable cause for the search?
The car was pulled over because of a traffic violation. OSP said that they noticed signs of criminal activity and requested consent to search the vehicle.