WICHITA - A Mexican citizen has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine in Wichita.
     36-year-old Juan Arellano Padilla of Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and one count of distributing methamphetamine.
     Beginning in late 2009, the Wichita Police Department began conducting an investigation into suspected drug trafficking involving a number of persons, some of who had ties to Mexico. During the investigation:
        – Oklahoma City Police stopped a van in Norman, Okla., and seized 137.5 pounds of marijuana bound for Wichita.
        – Investigators obtained wiretaps to monitor traffickers’ phones.
        – Investigators monitored global positioning devices on specified cell phones.
        – Investigators arranged to buy drugs from conspirators.
     
     In his plea, Padilla admitted that in 2010 he was part of the trafficking organization and conspired with others to distribute drugs.
     Co-defendants include:
        Carlos Ramirez, who was sentenced to eight years in federal prison.
        Alejandro R. Hernandez, who was sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison.
        Ponciano Munoz-Meraz, who was sentenced to nearly six years.  
        Guillermo Amparan, who was sentenced to two years in federal prison.