Ruben Sanchez/Mexico/Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl

ICE New Orleans arrested Ruben Sanchez, a citizen of Mexico who is unlawfully present in the United States. According to court and law enforcement records, Sanchez’s criminal history includes a federal conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and a separate conviction for possession with intent to distribute more than four hundred grams of fentanyl. He was taken into custody without incident and processed into immigration detention while his administrative case proceeds before an immigration judge.

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl documents coordinated activity with others to place the drug into illegal commerce. Investigations in such cases typically rely on intercepted communications, surveillance, controlled buys, and financial or ledger records that show planning, roles, and payments. The possession with intent conviction reflects immediate control of distribution quantities; proof commonly includes laboratory confirmations, packaging indicative of resale, scales, and location or device data tying the defendant to stash locations or transport routes. Quantities above four hundred grams are treated as high risk due to fentanyl’s potency and the resulting exposure under sentencing guidelines.

Following his apprehension, officers completed biometric identity verification, compiled certified judgments and sentencing documents, and documented immigration history for presentation in court. Sanchez remains detained while removal proceedings advance, including custody review and scheduling before the immigration judge. If a final order of removal is issued, officials will coordinate travel documentation with the receiving government and arrange transportation in accordance with federal procedures. Any state or federal criminal obligations proceed on a separate track and are recorded in the immigration file as required.