RAPID CITY, S.D. – A 42-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation in South Dakota.

Reynaldo Garcia-Gonzalez was convicted of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance after authorities uncovered his involvement in trafficking large quantities of meth from California to South Dakota. Between April and November 2022, Garcia-Gonzalez transported multiple pounds of methamphetamine to co-conspirators in western South Dakota, who then distributed it further.

The case was investigated by the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. UNET includes officers from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Police Department, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Highway Patrol, and the South Dakota National Guard.

Following his sentencing, Garcia-Gonzalez was immediately taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service.