Arizona Man Sentenced for 10 Kilograms of Cocaine

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Carlos Daniel Ruelas, age 21, of Arizona, was sentenced October 2, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Ruelas to 46 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.  Ruelas also agreed to forfeit $68,460.

On July 31, 2023, the DEA Criminal Interdiction Unit was working at the bus station in Omaha, Nebraska, when they made contact with Xavier Olivas-Valenzuela.  During the contact, Olivas-Valenzuela admitted to contraband in his bag.  When investigators began to search his bag, Olivas-Valenzuela ran out the door.  After a short pursuit, Olivas-Valenzuela was detained.  A search of his luggage resulted in 51 pounds of methamphetamine being seized.  A search that night of Olivas-Valenzuela’s phone showed that he was directed to stay at a residence in the 1700 block of N. 10^th Street.  A search warrant was obtained for that residence. Investigators found Ruelas at the residence, along with 10 kilograms of cocaine and $68,460.

Olivas-Valenzuela has pleaded guilty and is set for sentencing on October 23, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration.