BOISE, Idaho — A couple living in Ontario, Oregon were sentenced in mid-February for trafficking large amounts of methamphetamine into Idaho, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit said.
According to court records, there were two incidents in which the couple, 81-year-old Efren Avilez-Lopez and 70-year-old Maria Medina-Zeveda, sold meth to an undercover officer. On April 15, 2023, the couple sold five lbs. of meth to an undercover officer in a Nampa store parking lot. Ten days later, the couple sold 20 lbs. of meth to an undercover officer, also in the parking lot of a Nampa store.
About a month later, on May 12, Avilez-Lopez and Medina-Zeveda drove from their home in Ontario to Los Angeles to pick up a large amount of meth.
While driving home, they were stopped by officers in Owyhee County, where it was discovered they had four family members in the car with them, including a minor. A drug-sniffing dog was brought to the scene and it was then that officers were alerted to 21 lbs. of meth in the floorboards of the car.
Judge David Nye sentenced Avilez-Lopez to nine years in prison for possession with intent to distribute meth on Feb. 12. Judge Nye then sentenced Medina-Zeveda to 37 months in prison the next day.
"These defendants were a driving force behind a significant drug trafficking organization that, thanks to law enforcement, has been dismantled," U.S. Attorney Hurwit said.
"Strong partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement is key to bringing successful conclusions to cases like this," Nampa Police Chief Joe Huff said. "We are proud of the teamwork being done across jurisdictions to combat drug crime."
"I am proud of our continued partnership and collaboration with our law enforcement partners, which ultimately led to this successful operation," Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram said.
After Avilez-Lopez and Medina-Zeveda serve their time in federal prison, they will be deported to Mexico.
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