A Canadian national was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, the U.S. Department of Justice announced, after prosecutors established that he ran a criminal organization responsible for moving more than 850 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine across the border into Canada. The drugs carried a value of up to $17 million, and the entire trafficking operation unfolded over roughly one month.
In a separate case, a Mexican national received a 14-year federal prison term for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The Justice Department said he had been extradited from Canada before standing trial. Distribution activity covered the Portland area and extended along the Oregon coast. Olympia, Washington was also identified as a location tied to the conspiracy.
Prosecutors said a victim was killed over an unpaid drug debt connected to that trafficking network. The Mexican national's sentencing took place the day before the Justice Department's public announcement.