Last week, John Avendano, a 21-year-old resident of Phoenix, was charged in federal court with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The charge follows a traffic stop conducted by a Task Force Officer from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force on September 22.
According to the criminal complaint, Avendano was stopped while driving a Chevrolet Silverado. During the stop, law enforcement found approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a black trash bag inside the vehicle, as well as a firearm. Following this discovery, investigators searched Avendano’s residence and seized over five additional pounds of methamphetamine, about 250 grams of cocaine, and two more firearms.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and can result in up to life imprisonment along with fines up to $10 million.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America. This nationwide initiative coordinates resources from the Department of Justice with the goal of combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through collaborative efforts such as those organized under the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation was led by the DEA’s East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force HIDTA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Zander from the District of Arizona is prosecuting the case.
“A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” according to officials.
