Cartel-Linked Meth Trafficker Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison in North Texas

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas revealed that a methamphetamine trafficker who had connections to the CJNG cartel had been sentenced to a substantial 40 years in federal prison. When authorities busted a massive drug organization, 43-year-old Mexican national Adriana Melendez-Calvillo was found guilty of drug trafficking and money laundering offenses.

U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr sentenced Melendez-Calvillo on Wednesday after he entered a guilty plea in November 2023 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering. According to court filings, Melendez-Calvillo was arrested and a significant amount of methamphetamine was seized after investigators intercepted a call she was making in September 2022 about a narcotics sale.

An agent testified at sentencing that Melendez-Calvillo had ties to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a significant drug trafficking group, according to a Department of Justice report. The prosecution produced text messages showing she sent large amounts of money, $828,094, to people in Mexico and obtained drugs from that nation. Melendez-Calvillo also admitted to transferring substantial sums of U.S. currency, including $104,750 that was confiscated by authorities, in a glaring admission of her involvement in the narcotics network.

A larger conspiracy involving multiple other people is revealed by Melendez-Calvillo’s conviction. The operation had three defendants who have pleaded guilty and three who are awaiting trial, in addition to co-conspirators David Garcia and Omar Gilliam. While Mr. Gilliam is awaiting trial, Mr. Garcia is anticipated to be sentenced in January.

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