A Dallas man was sentenced on March 19 to 20 years in federal prison for his role in trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, according to U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Esteban Castillo, age 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III handed down a sentence of 240 months in federal prison.
Court records show that federal agents began investigating a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization operating a narcotics distribution cell in North Texas in 2021. The investigation found that Castillo participated in a conspiracy that purchased large quantities of illegal drugs—including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana—for further distribution. The conspiracy involved at least 45 kilograms or more of methamphetamine.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The task force is described as a whole-of-government partnership focused on eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings both within the United States and abroad. According to the announcement, “Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.” The statement also notes that special emphasis is placed on crimes involving children and efforts to prosecute and remove violent criminal aliens from the country.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation along with assistance from the Denison Police Department and Mesquite Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Johnson prosecuted the case.
