United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 46-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, announced DEA Houston Division Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Martin Arambula pleaded guilty Dec. 27, 2017.

Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez, Jr., sentenced Arambula to 120 months to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court noted Arambula’s extensive criminal history, which included two robbery convictions.　

During the summer of 2016, law enforcement initiated an investigation into the smuggling and distribution of multi-kilogram shipments of illicit narcotics within the United States by members of a drug trafficking organization operating within Cameron County.

Agents with the DEA, who were investigating the drug trafficking organization, witnessed Arambula order crack cocaine from his supplier. Law enforcement seized the drugs as they were being delivered to Arambula. The crack was intended to be sold in local street level sales in Cameron County.

Through the course of the investigation, agents were able to determine Arambula regularly bought crack cocaine from Jesus Hector Garza, Jr.　

Garza, 31, of Brownsville, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of "ice" methamphetamine and is awaiting sentencing.

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

The DEA and FBI conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation known as Operation Fatstacks. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Betancourt is prosecuting the case.

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