After a three-year sentence on his fourth drug conviction, then being deported back to Mexico, the Mexican National was back in court for sentencing on more drug crimes after illegally re-entering the United States.

Jose Naur Sanchez pled guilty in March of this year after being arrested and charged with Methamphetamine distribution in Washington state. He was sentenced to ten years on Monday.

Sanchez was back in the United States and running a cedar shingle mill in Washington state as a front for meth distribution according to U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan. 35-year-old Sanchez was arrested in June of 2012 after a lengthy investigation that culminated in the uncovering of a huge operation that spanned from California to Washington and beyond.

The case began to unfold in May of 2012 when drug enforcement officials began trackin two individuals, 36-year-old Israel Magana Espinoza and 28-year-old Christian Calles. The two men were tracked to Stockton, California and were stopped and arrested on their return trip. Authorities found over thirteen pounds of meth secreted within a tire.

Subsequent to that arrest, the drug unit raided the Stockton drug lab and seized 66 pounds of crystal meth, 88 pounds of liquified slush meth and assault rifles disassembled and ready for shipment back to Mexico.

Shortly thereafter, Sanchez was arrested and four pounds of meth were found wrapped in cellophane and covered in grease in his vehicle.

At least 17 people were arrested in connection with this drug cartel that shipped meth up the coast for further movement throughout Washington state, Canada and other points north. Increasingly, it is found that Mexican drug cartel members are entering the United States to oversee the meth operations here.

In a press release after sentencing U.S. Attorney Durkan said, “These defendants, who have ties to Mexican cartels, sought to spread their poison and influence on tribal land and in our rural areas.” Durkan continued “I am grateful for the good work of the Quinault Nation Narcotics Enforcement Team and Grays Harbor Drug Task Force who were key partners with federal law enforcement in this prosecution.”

Prosecutors asked for significant time saying, “even after being deported following his fourth drug conviction and a three year sentence, the defendant returned to the United States and became involved in this conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.”

The investigation involved the DEA, U.S. Customs, Tahoma Narcotic Enforcement, the Grays Harbor Drug Taskforce, and the Quinault Tribal Police among others.