Mailing Cocaine to PA from CA Gets Man Federal Drug Trafficking Charges
Drug trafficking is a complex and dangerous crime, so some participants do what they can to simplify their operations and reduce risk. However, their strategies don’t always work out as intended. Such was the case for 23-year-old Jose Angel Sanchez of Los Angeles, who is pleading guilty to trafficking cocaine to Pennsylvania and West Virginia via regular mail—a federal offense.
No matter what method is used, drug trafficking is such a serious crime that even a dismissed charge can still affect your opportunities and relationships. If you’re accused of drug trafficking, get the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team on your side immediately. To schedule a consultation, call our offices today at 888.535.3686 or submit an online contact form.
An Operation Across the States
The charges come after the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigated Sanchez from March to September 2022, monitoring his shipments of cocaine, a Schedule II drug, which he sent to Pennsylvania from his home in Los Angeles. Law enforcement officers intercepted a package holding two kilograms of cocaine before it could arrive at its destination in Pennsylvania, so Sanchez instead had his shipments delivered to his co-defendant, Christopher Salgado, in West Virginia.
Salgado routinely picked up Sanchez from the Pittsburgh International Airport. After that, they would transport the drugs by car to the home of Aliquippa resident Romaro Foster, Sr., who is also facing charges.
Federal investigators stopped Salgado and Sanchez during one of their return trips to the airport, eventually releasing them. Following this, they watched Salgado dispose of a box in a trash bin. Upon examining the box, the investigators confirmed it had Salgado’s address and cocaine residue.
This led investigators to discover more parcels totaling six kilograms of cocaine between both Salgado and Sanchez. In August 2022, the investigators searched Salgado’s home and found another parcel containing two kilograms. It had come from Sanchez’s address.
What Happens Next
Salgado was already assigned five years of prison time. Now that Sanchez has pleaded guilty to the charges against him, a judge could sentence him to fines of up to $10 million and 10 years to life in prison—a more severe punishment than the person in charge of the drug trafficking operation.
Sanchez can hope that the judge will be lenient enough not to burden him with the maximum penalties. However, even the minimum would be devastating, overshadowing his life to the point that he may never fully recover. His situation highlights the importance of a strong defense in securing a hopeful future even for those who commit the most egregious crimes.
The LLF Law Firm Can Shield You from Drug Trafficking Charges
If you’re charged with drug trafficking, it’s not too late to turn things around. With the help of skilled and widely renowned attorneys like those on the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team, you have a great chance of overcoming the charges or minimizing any damage done to your reputation. Call our offices today at 888.535.3686 or fill out this contact form for a consultation.