Cartel-Linked Drug Kingpin Who Moved Meth Through San Angelo Gets Life in Prison

MIDLAND, TX – A Mexican national unlawfully residing in Texas was sentenced Thursday to life in federal prison for his criminal actions as the leader of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) tied to a Mexican cartel.

According to court documents, Jose Ramon Castillo-Lopez aka “Pepo,” 30, of Namiquipa, Chihuahua, Mexico, supplied a co-conspirator with a firearm, along with methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl “M30” pills for distribution purposes. Castillo-Lopez also utilized a garage in Midland to disassemble stolen vehicles as load vehicles used to transport illicit drugs and money.

On Oct. 1, 2022, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents learned that Castillo-Lopez had been arrested and charged with attempted capital murder for allegedly shooting a Seminole, Texas police officer. Through a review of his phone calls in the Gaines County Jail, DEA agents confirmed that Castillo-Lopez was the leader of a United States-based DTO, working directly with his counterpart on the Mexican side of the organization. Additionally, Castillo-Lopez had instructed in detail two co-defendants, his girlfriend Myra Mendez and her brother Aaron Mendez, to take over the DTO operations in the United States.

Castillo-Lopez was responsible for the distribution of 100-300 pounds of actual methamphetamine per month, more than 20 kgs of cocaine, and several hundred grams of fentanyl M-30 pills and heroin. Additionally, Castillo-Lopez was responsible for telling the Mexican side of the DTO how much and what types of narcotics were needed for distribution, the collection of narcotics proceeds, and he ensured distribution occurred in Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Amarillo, San Angelo and throughout the state of Mississippi.

Castillo-Lopez pleaded guilty on Sept. 23, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine and 5 kgs or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine.

“This federal life sentence is a significant victory for the United States in combatting the Mexican cartels and their drug trafficking organizations,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Castillo-Lopez was responsible for orchestrating the movement of massive amounts of dangerous narcotics into our country and through our communities. This case is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners. Together, we prioritize the safety of Americans and will bring the full force of justice to criminal organizations.”

“Mr. Castillo-Lopez now has a lifetime to contemplate the terrible choices he made,” said Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s El Paso Division. “He willingly put the lives of Texans and Mississippians at risk and now he’s facing the consequences. The men and women of the DEA will continue to bring other drug traffickers like him to their own day of reckoning.”

The DEA investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Midland Sheriff’s Office, Odessa Police Department and the Midland Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Sloane prosecuted the case.