Drug dealer sentenced to over 7 years following HSI Tucson, multiagency case

TUCSON, Ariz. — A Tucson man was sentenced Feb. 15 to 87 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI investigated the case.

“The chronic use of methamphetamine continues to plague our country,” said HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Fransisco B. Burrola. “The conviction and sentencing of this dangerous and previously convicted defendant only highlights the strength of our law enforcement partnerships, who spend countless hours combating a poison that is harmful to our communities. HSI remains unwavering in its efforts to identify, disrupt and bring to justice those who take it upon themselves to poison our streets.”

Esteban Terrazas, 56, pleaded guilty Oct. 27, 2023, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

On Aug. 10, 2021, law enforcement officers stopped Terrazas for a traffic violation and found approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun in his possession. Terrazas admitted that he intended to sell the drugs and that he was prohibited from possessing a gun. Terrazas has multiple prior felony convictions, the most recent for manslaughter, that prohibit him from possessing firearms.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multiagency approach. Learn more about the OCDETF program.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Tucson prosecuted the case.

HSI encourages members of the public to report suspicious activity by calling the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP. The tip line is staffed 24 hours a day.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees and consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)