United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FRESNO, Calif. - United States District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill sentenced Jose Alcaraz Palacio, 33, of Torrance, today to five years and three months in federal prison, Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Charge Bruce C. Balzano and United States Attorney Benjamin Wagner announced.

According to court documents, on March 23, 2012, Palacio was stopped while driving on Interstate 5 near Coalinga. A search of his car revealed that it was operating with a motorcycle battery inside an automobile battery casing. Taking up the extra space within the casing was about three pounds of methamphetamine. Palacio has been in custody since his arrest and pleaded guilty on November 13, 2012.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the California Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Rooney prosecuted the case.