A 44-year-old Avondale man who authorities said led a drug-trafficking organization has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to methamphetamine possession.

Heriberto Lopez-Landeros was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan after his plea iin August to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Lopez-Landeros was the head of an Arizona-based drug trafficking organization “responsible for importing large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin from Mexico and transporting drugs across the United States,” according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Lopez-Landeros recruited semi-truck drivers to transport drugs throughout the United States. The semi-truck drivers often carried the drugs inside the cab of their trucks, authorities said.

During an 18-month investigation, several loads of drugs connected with Lopez-Landeros were seized, including 83 kilograms of methamphetamine, 12 kilograms of fentanyl and 645 grams of heroin, the release stated.