Thread: Drug smuggler gets 25 years

Drug smuggler gets 25 years
arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.02.2008
A man was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday in connection with a drug tunnel that was used in the late 1990s to smuggle more than 20 tons of cocaine.
Ruben Ultreras-Estrada, 39, of Naco, Sonora, was extradited to the United States in May 2006 to face trial for the drug tunnel, which was built in 1996 and used through 1999, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona.
He and a co-defendant, Francisco Valle-Hurtado, were convicted last November of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 17,000 pounds of cocaine, the release said.
The investigation began after more than 5 tons of cocaine had been seized from a warehouse in Tucson in 1996, according to the release. An additional 2,660 pounds of cocaine, three fully automatic machine guns and $1.5 million in cash were seized.
More than 50 people connected to the Naco tunnel have been convicted, the release said. Five are still wanted.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/246501

He'll be out in 10 if not sooner!