On Sept. 17, Mariano Gomez Padilla, 28, Eduardo Garcia Lopez, 21, and Abel Martinez Valenzuela, 25, all Mexican nationals living in Arizona, were charged by federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to the complaint, on Sept. 17, Drug Enforcement Administration East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force agents established surveillance at an apartment complex in Glendale, in anticipation of an expected methamphetamine drug purchase. From the complex, agents followed Gomez Padilla and Garcia Lopez as they drove in tandem to another location in Glendale.

During the drive, agents attempted to stop the suspects’ vehicles, but both drivers failed to yield. Instead, Garcia Lopez exited his vehicle and fled but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.

Gomez Padilla also failed to yield to law enforcement and instead rammed his vehicle into one of the agent’s cars as well as two other vehicles parked on the street, causing significant damage. Shortly thereafter, Gomez Padilla and Martinez Valenzuela, who was riding as a passenger in Gomez Padilla’s vehicle, were also apprehended after trying to flee on foot.

Agents searched the vehicles and seized approximately 61.75 pounds of methamphetamine from the car that Garcia Lopez was driving. Agents also searched a nearby Ford F-250 associated with the investigation with an additional 71.75 pounds of methamphetamine, which was packed identically to the drugs found in Garcia Lopez’s car.

Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years up to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000,000.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force HIDTA and the Mesa Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Zander, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.