San Antonio Standard

A Mexican national, Jose Ramon Castillo-Lopez, also known as "Pepo," has been sentenced to life in federal prison for his role as the leader of a drug trafficking organization linked to a Mexican cartel. The sentencing took place on Thursday in Midland, Texas.

Court documents reveal that Castillo-Lopez, 30, from Namiquipa, Chihuahua, Mexico, supplied methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl “M30” pills for distribution. He also provided a co-conspirator with a firearm and used a garage in Midland to modify stolen vehicles for transporting drugs and money.

On October 1, 2022, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents discovered Castillo-Lopez had been arrested and charged with attempted capital murder after allegedly shooting a police officer in Seminole, Texas. Phone call reviews at Gaines County Jail confirmed his leadership of a U.S.-based drug trafficking organization working with counterparts in Mexico. Castillo-Lopez instructed two co-defendants—his girlfriend Myra Mendez and her brother Aaron Mendez—to manage operations in the United States.

Castillo-Lopez was accountable for distributing significant quantities of narcotics monthly: 100-300 pounds of methamphetamine, over 20 kilograms of cocaine, several hundred grams of fentanyl M-30 pills and heroin. His responsibilities included directing the Mexican side on narcotics requirements and ensuring distribution across multiple locations including Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Amarillo, San Angelo and throughout Mississippi.

He pleaded guilty on September 23, 2024 to conspiracy charges involving possession with intent to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine.

“This federal life sentence is a significant victory for the United States in combatting the Mexican cartels and their drug trafficking organizations,” stated U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. Esparza emphasized Castillo-Lopez's role in moving dangerous narcotics into American communities and praised law enforcement efforts.

Towanda R. Thorne-James from the DEA’s El Paso Division remarked on Castillo-Lopez's lifetime sentence: “Mr. Castillo-Lopez now has a lifetime to contemplate the terrible choices he made.” She affirmed ongoing DEA efforts against similar traffickers.

The investigation involved collaboration between DEA agents and local law enforcement agencies including the Texas Department of Public Safety and police departments from Midland and Odessa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Sloane led the prosecution.