Foreign National Drug Courier Sentenced for Conspiring with Cartel to Distribute Fentanyl in Oklahoma

TULSA, Okla. - A foreign national living in East Tulsa was sentenced for conspiring with the cartel to distribute fentanyl in Oklahoma, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

Today, U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante sentenced Jose Amadeis Sanchez Sanchez, 34, a Mexican national, for Drug Conspiracy. He was ordered to serve 37 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

In 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration Tulsa Resident Office and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics began investigating a Mexico-based cartel operating in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Agents identified Sanchez as a courier in February 2025. After completing two purchases of fentanyl, agents followed Sanchez and found that he stayed at two separate drug houses in East Tulsa. Agents executed search warrants at both locations. They found $38,000 in cash, multiple cell phones, scales, a drug ledger, and nearly 2.5 pounds of fentanyl. Sanchez was present during the search of one of the homes and was detained.

When interviewed by agents, Sanchez admitted to crossing the border in 2024. Sanchez was removed from the United States after a drug house was raided in Texas, prior to coming to Tulsa. After returning to the United States, he continued to work for the cartel. Court documents allege that Sanchez believed he was coming to the United States to legally work. Instead, he was "informed" by the cartel that he would be a courier to repay the $25,000 "fee" for being smuggled into the United States. Sanchez explained to agents that he would obtain large quantities of fentanyl and would break it down into smaller quantities for distribution. Additionally, Sanchez would collect cash and provide it to a separate courier for transportation back to Mexico.

During this investigation, agents have seized approximately 30 kilograms of fentanyl, 11 kilograms of methamphetamine,
4 kilograms of heroin, and $250,000 in bulk currency. More than 35 individuals have been arrested and are linked to the
same cartel.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, one kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. Removing thirty kilograms of fentanyl from the United States has the potential to save millions of people from overdosing or being poisoned.

Sanchez will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Tulsa Resident Office and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Niko Boulieris prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.