Houston duo jailed for 13 years in massive methamphetamine bust

A routine undercover deal exposed a sprawling meth ring. Now, two armed traffickers will spend over a decade behind bars.

, and Administrator

2026 March 31 . 6:06 PM

1 min read

The image shows a poster with pictures of Mexican drug traffickers and text that reads... — The image shows a poster with pictures of Mexican drug traffickers and text that reads "Perpetrators of Mexican Drug Trafficking Violence". The poster features a variety of people of different ages, genders, and ethnicities, all of whom are looking directly at the viewer with serious expressions. The text is written in bold, black font and is surrounded by a white border. The background of the poster is a light blue color, and the text is centered in the middle of the image.

Houston duo jailed for 13 years in massive methamphetamine bust

Two Houston men have been sentenced to 162 months in prison for their roles in a major methamphetamine operation. Edgar Prudencio Ruiz and Damian Lee Gutierrez were convicted of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute the drug. Their arrest followed an investigation that uncovered over 130 kilograms of crystal meth.

The case began on 17 June 2025, when Ruiz and Gutierrez delivered five kilograms of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. Authorities later searched their vehicle, a Toyota Tacoma, and found 10 gallon-sized bags of crystal meth alongside two loaded 9mm pistols.

A further search of Gutierrez's home revealed an additional 122 gallon-sized bags of the drug. In total, investigators seized approximately 133 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, with an estimated street value exceeding $200,000. The drugs had been imported from Mexico. Both men were found guilty in a November 2025 trial. Evidence showed they had been involved in prior shootings and routinely carried firearms during drug deals.

Ruiz and Gutierrez remain in custody and will now be transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. The 13-year sentence reflects their involvement in large-scale drug distribution and the possession of firearms during their crimes.