Sacramento Meth Trafficker With Ties To Mexican Cartel Sentenced To 17.5 Years In Prison

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United States District Judge John A. Mendez sentenced Fausto Diaz-Lozano, 45, of Sacramento, on Tuesday, February 24, 2014, to 17 and a half years in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents and evidence from trial, Diaz-Lozano was a trusted member with high-level connections to La Familia Michoacàn, a Mexican drug cartel. The evidence at trial indicated he had ties to a “boss” in the organization. With a phone call to him, Diaz-Lozano was able to modify the “authorized” area for a huge distribution and supply hub controlled by the cartel in Gilroy. Before that call, to the “boss” in Mexico, the hub was only authorized to distribute in the South Bay Area. After the call, the hub delivered directly to Diaz-Lozano in Sacramento. According to court documents, Diaz-Lozano also recruited new members and associates for the cartel, flaunting the organization’s ruthlessness in the process.

When the Gilroy supply hub was searched on August 19, 2010, investigators seized over 610 pounds of methamphetamine, 16 pounds of cocaine, two firearms, and ledgers that detailed the distribution of over 3,300 pounds of methamphetamine in a four-to-five month period. Approximately 80 pounds of the methamphetamine was tested by the DEA and found to be approximately 98 percent pure.

Judge Mendez found that Diaz-Lozano directed others in connection with this international drug conspiracy. He also found that, as a member of the conspiracy, Diaz-Lozano was responsible for the drugs and guns found in Gilroy.

Diaz-Lozano is the sixth defendant to be sentenced in this case. Hector Salazar Borrayo, of Gilroy, was sentenced to 14 years and four months in prison. Martin Solorio, of Sacramento, was sentenced to nine years in prison. Roberto Bermudez-Ornelas, of Sacramento, was sentenced to three years and three months in prison. Sergio Murillo-Valencia was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Fabian Figueroa-Ayala, of Gilroy, was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison. Three other defendants are charged in this case. The against them are allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Department of Justice (Cal-MMET). Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Beckwith prosecuted the case.