SAN ANTONIO – A man has been sentenced to nearly two decades in federal prison for his involvement in a Texas drug trafficking operation.
A judge in a federal court in San Antonio gave 46-year-old Eduardo Puente a 19-year sentence Tuesday for one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to a press release.
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Court documents state that Puente, who has previous felony convictions, was wanted in Texas on two outstanding warrants.
In January 2022, investigators with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force identified Puente as the source of a drug supply chain that included the distribution of methamphetamine.
On Feb. 17, 2022, FBI investigators observed Puente carrying a white shoe box en route to a controlled substance purchase, the press release states.
That’s when Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers and Criminal Investigation Division agents conducted a traffic stop, which led to a foot pursuit.
Puente tossed a .357 revolver during the chase and was picked up during the pursuit by another person driving a Chevrolet Silverado, who helped aid his escape.
DPS troopers pulled over the Chevrolet driver, and Puente attempted to run again but was subsequently arrested.
When arresting troopers and FBI agents searched Puente, they discovered eight small bags of suspected methamphetamine, a bag of a black tar substance suspected to be heroin and $2,090 in cash.
During a search of Puente’s vehicle, FBI agents seized 2.281 kilograms of marijuana, 3.016 kilograms of heroin, 44.021 kilograms of methamphetamine and a .223 caliber rifle loaded with armor-piercing rounds and approximately $6,400 in cash, the press release states.
“I commend the efforts of our federal and state law enforcement partners in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Their work on the ground resulted in a significant seizure of illegal drugs, which would have otherwise been distributed in our community. This sentence is a victory for public safety, and I am grateful for their dedication to keeping our streets safe.”