Evergreen Reporter

U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Javier Alejandro Anaya-Leal, a resident of Ruskin, to eight years in federal prison. Anaya-Leal was convicted for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. Additionally, the court ordered him to forfeit $9,750 traced back to proceeds from his offenses. Anaya-Leal entered a guilty plea on July 11, 2024.

Court documents reveal that between 2022 and 2023, Anaya-Leal intended to distribute over 1,400 grams of methamphetamine and four kilograms of cocaine. In mid-2022, he sold more than 1,400 grams of highly pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant collaborating with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

On March 4, 2024, Anaya-Leal agreed to sell two to three kilograms of cocaine. The transaction was set up at his residence in Hillsborough County. A courier identified as Matias Sanchez Cardosa delivered the cocaine during this meeting. As the informant left the scene to obtain payment, law enforcement intervened and arrested both Anaya-Leal and Cardosa. Four kilograms of cocaine were found in Cardosa's vehicle intended for distribution across Florida's Middle District.

Matias Sanchez Cardosa received a sentence of 14 years in federal prison on October 21, 2024.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation for this case. Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale is handling the prosecution.