HOUSTON – A 28-year-old Mexican citizen who illegally resided in Houston was ordered to federal prison for his conviction of trafficking nearly six kilograms of methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Jesus Ortiz-Flores pleaded guilty Aug. 12, 2016.

Today, Senior U.S. District Judge David Hittner sentenced Ortiz-Flores to 300 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following his prison term. 

At the time of his plea, Ortiz-Flores admitted to playing a key role in attempting to deliver methamphetamine in the Houston area.

On June 13, 2014, a confidential source mistakenly received several bundles which contained approximately six kilograms of methamphetamine from two unknown male couriers working for him. The couriers had approached him and mistakenly threw a bag in his car containing six bundles of methamphetamine. The source quickly realized the bundles contained drugs and contacted federal agents who advised him to contact Ortiz-Flores. At that time, Ortiz-Flores advised him that drugs were supposed to go to another person who was then supposed to divide it up and provide to others.  

Ortiz-Flores told him he could just sell the drugs. The source later told Ortiz-Flores he sold two kilograms of methamphetamine. Upon the direction of Ortiz-Flores, the source then delivered the remaining four kilograms to another man for him to sell. The drugs were hidden inside a spare tire and delivered as instructed.

Officers then conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle the man was driving and seized the methamphetamine. All six of the bundles of methamphetamine were subsequently sent for further analysis, which demonstrated a net weight of 5.924 kilograms and 100% purity.

The drugs had been imported from Mexico.

The evidence in the case also revealed Ortiz-Flores was involved in other methamphetamine trafficking transactions totaling more than 17 kilograms for which he was held accountable at the hearing today. 

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Houston Police Department and Harris County Sheriff’s Office conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arthur R. Jones is prosecuting the case.