A 33-year-old illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for heading a methamphetamine distribution cell in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Raymundo Bernal Saucedo, also known as Bernal, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting. U.S. District Judge Ada E. Brown imposed the 480-month sentence on March 11, per a March 16 press release.
The case was part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation targeting transnational criminal organizations linked to brokers in Michoacán, Mexico.
Agents arranged a controlled purchase of two kilograms of methamphetamine from an Arlington-area cell.
A subsequent search warrant at a storage unit yielded 77 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, multiple firearms, and a drug ledger.
Investigators identified Bernal as the leader of the local operation.
Court records show cell members converted liquid methamphetamine into its finished form, and Bernal personally acquired supplies and participated in the “cooking” process. Two weapons recovered from his residence were used in furtherance of the trafficking, according to plea documents.
Wiretaps on Bernal and his co-conspirators’ phones revealed additional activity, including his role in smuggling contraband into Tennessee jails. He was held responsible for 1,946,000 kilograms of methamphetamine, calculated as converted drug weight.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said the sentence reflects strong interagency work.
“We are dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks in the Northern District of Texas through our indispensable partnership with Homeland Security Task Force agents,” Raybould said. “The lengthy sentence in this case is directly attributable to their diligent efforts, and we will continue to pursue the full measure of justice against those who traffic this poison in our communities.”
DEA Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker added, “This sentence demonstrates that those who traffic dangerous quantities of methamphetamine into North Texas will be held accountable. The DEA, alongside our federal, state, and local partners remain committed to dismantling transnational criminal organizations and protecting our communities from this poison.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said, “The Dallas Homeland Security Task Force remains focused on targeting transnational criminal organizations. The collaborative effort of the HSTF resulted in a significant sentence and the reduction of narcotics on our streets. The FBI will continue to work with our partners to combat violent crime and drug trafficking in our communities.”