A Mexican national has been sentenced in federal court for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy tied to cocaine distribution in Missouri.
Judge Greg Kays sentenced Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, 45, to 10 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
According to court records, law enforcement agencies initiated an investigation into a co-defendant’s drug-trafficking activities in 2019, after identifying him as a key organizer inside a criminal operation that distributed methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. Investigators discovered that Lopez-Sanchez, along with numerous other people, were involved in the organization’s trafficking activities.
On April 16, 2021, surveillance teams spotted Lopez-Sanchez arriving at a residence in Belton, Missouri, driving a black 2015 GMC Yukon with Texas license plates. Investigators claim he arrived prior to a planned controlled narcotics deal with a confidential human source. Surveillance officers allegedly observed Lopez-Sanchez bringing a blue bag into the home.
Later that day, police from the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped the GMC Yukon as it drove westbound on Interstate 44 near the Oklahoma state line. During the traffic check, investigators discovered around 995 grams of cocaine, or about 2.19 pounds, and seized $58,601 in cash from the vehicle.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, the FBI, the Jackson County Drug Task Force, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
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