SPOKANE — A man tied to a Mexican drug trafficking organization has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for trafficking massive quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other narcotics that were distributed across Eastern Washington.
Jose Efrain Gonzalez-Rodriguez, 24, of Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Gonzalez-Rodriguez, who was unlawfully present in the United States, pleaded guilty to multiple drug trafficking and firearm charges.
According to court records, the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating Gonzalez-Rodriguez in May 2024, uncovering his involvement in a transnational operation transporting drugs from California into Spokane. From there, investigators say the drugs were widely distributed throughout Eastern Washington communities.
On June 24, 2024, federal agents executed a search warrant on Gonzalez-Rodriguez’s vehicle, seizing nearly 2 pounds of methamphetamine and 6,855 fentanyl pills. A second search at his Spokane apartment uncovered an even larger cache: more than 59,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 3 pounds of meth, over 1 pound of cocaine, heroin, and four pistols—two of which were reported stolen.
“Fentanyl is killing people across Eastern Washington. Those who traffic in this poison—along with other deadly drugs and illegal firearms—will be held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “Mr. Gonzalez-Rodriguez brought significant quantities of poison and stolen weapons into our community, putting lives at risk.”
DEA officials emphasized the widespread danger posed by Gonzalez-Rodriguez’s operation.
“This case highlights the intersection of drug trafficking, firearms, and illegal immigration,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “Mr. Gonzalez-Rodriguez endangered our community on all three of these fronts and this sentence ensures his accountability.”
The investigation was led by the DEA with assistance from the Spokane Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement and Narcotics (RAVEN) task force and U.S. Border Patrol.
Federal prosecutors noted that the sentence reflects not only the severity of Gonzalez-Rodriguez’s crimes, but also the federal government’s commitment to dismantling drug networks endangering public safety throughout Eastern Washington.
