World

US Marine Gets 12 Years For Cross-Border Drug Smuggling

A former Marine who for years helped smuggle drugs from Mexico into the United States and even tried to get a song written to glorify his exploits was sentenced Friday to 12 years in federal prison.

Roberto Salazar II, 26, of San Diego was sentenced for importing fentanyl and for conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, according to a statement from the US attorney’s office.

Salazar, who pleaded guilty last October, could have faced up to life in prison.

He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Prosecutors said that before joining the corps and while on active duty, he and the couriers he recruited made dozens of smuggling trips across the border.

Salazar would obtain cars that were driven to Mexico, where drugs were loaded into the engine compartments. Couriers would then drive them back across the border into the US, prosecutors said.

Also read: Judge Dismissive Of Trump’s Reasons To Skip New York Rape Trial

The scheme began around 2015, authorities said.

By the time of his arrest last year, “Salazar had become so involved in drug trafficking that he was commissioning a Mexican songwriter to write a drug ballad known as a ‘narcocorrido about him”, the US attorney’s office said.

“In one line that Salazar suggested to the songwriter, he boasted: I wanted to study and became a soldier, but I liked the fast life better,’” the office said.

Some of the couriers recruited by Salazar were former Marines or classmates at Southwestern College in Chula Vista.

“This case involved a Marine who was supposed to protect and defend our country, but instead brought great harm to Americans by trafficking fentanyl and other dangerous drugs,” US Attorney Randy Grossman said. “He also betrayed his solemn oath by recruiting other Marines to do the same.”

Also read: “As Ramadan Comes To an end, I Would Like To Send My Warmest Wishes To Muslims As They Mark Eid al Fitr,” Says Rishi Sunak

Shruti Chaturvedi

Recent Posts

Gautam Adani Reaches Bhubaneswar; Set to Participate In Jagannath Rath Yatra

Gautam Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Group, arrived in Bhubaneswar and proceeded to Puri to…

55 mins ago

Cold Showers Vs Warm Showers: What’s Best To Start Your Day?

Choosing between cold and warm showers can impact your energy, health, and mood. Here’s how…

1 hour ago

Manoj Tiwari Joins Jagannath Rath Yatra In Puri; Celebrates With Devotees

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari participated in the first day of the Jagannath Rath Yatra in…

2 hours ago

HM Amit Shah To Launch Development & Education Projects Across Gujarat

Amit Shah is visiting Gujarat to inaugurate key education, cooperative, and rural development projects across…

2 hours ago

Parliamentary Committee To Visit Pahalgam Terror Site; Hold Key Meetings In Jammu & Srinagar

Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, a Parliamentary Committee is set to…

3 hours ago

PM Modi To Inaugurate Centenary Celebrations Of Acharya Shri Vidyanand Ji Maharaj

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 100th birth anniversary commemoration of Acharya Shri Vidyanand…

4 hours ago