Ex-commissioner’s associate sentenced in drug case

An associate of former County Commissioner Willie Gandara, Jr. was sentenced today for his role in a marijuana trafficking operation.
Juan Canales was arrested alongside Gandara in February on federal drug trafficking charges.
Canales pleaded guilty on July 5 to conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
On Tuesday, he was sentenced to six years in federal prison followed bysix months of home confinement.
He and former Gandara are accused of trying to smuggle more than 120 pounds of marijuana in October through the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol checkpoint.
Gandara pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in August and has been released on bond.
His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14.