Canutillo man sentenced to more than 20 years in prison on drug trafficking charges

Federal officials say that when his drug loads were stolen or lost under suspicious circumstances, Samuel Gomez would resort to assault, kidnapping, arson, and even drive-by shootings.

Gomez, 48, was sentenced Friday to 320 months in federal prison. He was convicted in by a federal jury on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, and possession with intent to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana.

Court documents uncovered by the ABC-7 I-team state that Gomez ran his trafficking operation out of his truck repair business, Gomez Diesel Repair, in Canutillo, for about five years.

In addition to the jail time, Gomez was also given five years probation after completing his prison term, and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The government is also looking to seize Gomez’s Canutillo property.

The U.S. attorney’s office says Gomez is one of 11 people charged in connection with this case.

Ten others have entered guilty pleas, and nine of those have already been sentenced, according to the U.S. attorney.