Jose Nunez, 43, of Lancaster, was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston for his role in methamphetamine trafficking, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Eric Grant.
Court records indicate that Nunez worked with a drug-trafficking organization based in Mexico that brought large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl into the United States. The group was dismantled in June 2024 during an operation called “Toxic Waste.” Authorities described Nunez as a “stash house” operator who managed drugs stored in the United States and distributed them to others for resale. He also helped run a laboratory where liquid methamphetamine was converted into crystal form.
Nunez’s arrest came as part of a larger investigation involving 14 other individuals. The operation resulted in the seizure of over 12,900 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 50 pounds of fentanyl mixture, 39 pounds of cocaine, and 22 pounds of heroin. For sentencing purposes, officials held Nunez responsible for distributing approximately 3,500 pounds of methamphetamine.
Investigators documented thousands of communications showing that the group smuggled drugs—including methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl—by hiding them inside portable projectors and batteries while posing as a transportation business. Additional methods included concealing drugs within semi-trucks or storing liquid methamphetamine inside vehicle gas tanks before transporting them across the border.
The case stemmed from work led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with support from Homeland Security Investigations; the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the U.S. Marshals Service; California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office Inland Regional Narcotics Enforcement Team; Merced Area Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team; and Los Angeles Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Cody S. Chapple prosecuted the case.
The prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative that aims to identify and dismantle high-level criminal organizations through coordinated multi-agency efforts led by prosecutors using intelligence-based strategies (more details at www.justice.gov/OCDETF).
This matter is also connected to Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), which targets synthetic opioid supply chains in areas heavily impacted by these substances while seeking out wholesale distributors both domestically and internationally. S.O.S., launched by the Justice Department in July 2018, operates within ten federal districts including the Eastern District of California.
