Jose Carlos Morales-Gutierrez, a 31-year-old Mexican national, has been charged with possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announced on Mar. 20. The charge follows a March 11 traffic stop in Custer County, Oklahoma, where an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper pulled over a red semi-truck and discovered more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine in the trailer.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address drug trafficking and related crimes. During the stop, authorities found that Morales-Gutierrez did not have a valid driver’s license. A K9 unit alerted officers to narcotics in the trailer, leading to the discovery of a duffel bag containing the drugs.
Morales-Gutierrez was formally charged on March 17 and faces up to life in federal prison and a fine of up to $10 million if convicted. “The public is reminded that this charge is merely an allegation, and that Morales-Gutierrez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” according to the announcement.
The investigation was conducted by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bow Bottomly is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department serves as the principal federal agency for law enforcement according to its official website.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, described as a nationwide initiative using all resources of the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The Justice Department includes more than 115,000 employees operating across the United States and internationally as noted on its official website. It maintains operations throughout the country and in over 50 countries worldwide according to its official website. Garland assumed leadership as Attorney General on March 11, 2021 according to its official website, overseeing key prosecutions including those related to major cases such as the Oklahoma City bombing as per its official website. The department focuses on upholding rule of law, ensuring national safety, and safeguarding civil rights as detailed on its official site.
