Raymundo Bernal Saucedo, a Mexican citizen illegally present in the United States, was sentenced on March 11 to 40 years in federal prison for leading a methamphetamine distribution operation in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, according to an announcement by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
The sentencing is part of ongoing efforts by the Homeland Security Task Force to combat transnational criminal organizations. Authorities say these organizations are responsible for distributing large quantities of illegal drugs and contributing to violence and instability within U.S. communities.
Bernal, age 33, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting. U.S. District Judge Ada E. Brown handed down the sentence after court records showed that Bernal oversaw a local distribution cell affiliated with brokers based in Michoacán, Mexico. The group arranged deliveries of methamphetamine and converted liquid methamphetamine into its distributable form using various chemicals and equipment. Agents seized 77 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, multiple firearms, and a drug ledger during their investigation.
“We are dismantling transnational drug trafficking networks in the Northern District of Texas through our indispensable partnership with Homeland Security Task Force agents,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “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.”
Joseph B. Tucker, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Dallas Field Division, said: “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 added: “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.”
According to court documents, Bernal was also involved in smuggling contraband into jail facilities in Tennessee and was held responsible for nearly two million kilograms (calculated as converted drug weight) of methamphetamine.
The prosecution is part of an initiative established by Executive Order 14159 aimed at eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, as well as human smuggling operations both inside the United States and abroad.
