A Mexican national residing illegally in Dallas has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking operation in the Eastern District of Texas, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Francisco Ortuno, 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On March 4, 2026, U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III sentenced Ortuno to 170 months in federal prison.
Court documents show that federal agents began investigating a drug trafficking organization based in Mexico that was operating a narcotics distribution cell in North Texas in 2021. The investigation resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, firearms, and significant amounts of U.S. currency.
On October 4, 2022, agents executed a search warrant at a Dallas residence believed to be used by the organization for drug trafficking. When agents announced their presence, they were fired upon by someone inside the house. Both the shooter and Ortuno fled on foot but were apprehended after a chase. Inside the residence, authorities found over 30 kilograms of methamphetamine, four firearms, multiple drug ledgers, and equipment used for processing methamphetamine.
The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative created by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a government-wide partnership aimed at dismantling criminal cartels and transnational criminal organizations operating both within the United States and internationally. The task force coordinates law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by these groups and prioritizes cases involving child trafficking or crimes against children.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation into this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Wynne.
