Thread: Mexican heroin dealer gets 22 years in California

Mexican heroin dealer gets 22 years in California

The Associated Press
Published: Thursday, Apr. 14, 2011 - 8:06 am
Last Modified: Thursday, Apr. 14, 2011 - 9:56 am

VENTURA, Calif. -- California authorities say a man dubbed the "King of Heroin" who smuggled large quantities of the drug into the U.S. from Mexico has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.

The Ventura County Star says Jose Antonio Medina Arreguin was sentenced Wednesday in Ventura. He pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to possess heroin for sale.

The 36-year-old Mexican resident, also known as Don Pepe, was dubbed the King of Heroin by the Mexican media. Authorities claimed he arranged for drugs to be moved across the border into California in vehicles with secret compartments, pocketing up to $260,000 a week.

He was extradited to the U.S. last October.

An attorney for Arreguin says he was a farmer who got involved in the heroin trade and is remorseful.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/04/14/355297 ... ts-22.html