A methamphetamine trafficker with ties to the CJNG cartel was sentenced to a hefty 40 years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas announced. Mexican national Adriana Melendez-Calvillo, aged 43, was convicted of charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering after authorities cracked a large-scale narcotics operation.
Following Melendez-Calvillo’s guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering in November 2023, U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr handed down the sentence on Wednesday. Court documents revealed that agents intercepted a call in September 2022 in which Melendez-Calvillo discussed a drug transaction, subsequently leading to her arrest and the seizure of a large quantity of methamphetamine.
According to a report by the Department of Justice, during sentencing, an agent testified that Melendez-Calvillo had connections with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a major drug trafficking organization. The prosecution presented text messages indicating she received drugs from Mexico and transferred significant sums of money, totaling $828,094, to individuals in the country. In a stark admission of her role in the drug ring, Melendez-Calvillo also admitted to moving large amounts of U.S. currency, including one instance of $104,750 that was seized by law enforcement.
The conviction of Melendez-Calvillo sheds light on a broader conspiracy involving several other individuals. Co-conspirators David Garcia and Omar Gilliam, as well as three defendants who have entered guilty pleas and three awaiting trial, were implicated in the operation. Mr. Garcia is expected to receive his sentence in January, while Mr. Gilliam is pending trial.
