SANTA ANA, Calif. - A federal jury convicted two brothers Thursday of trafficking methamphetamine through a Santa Ana-based drug ring.
U.S. District Court jurors convicted Jose Castellon and his brother, Javier, of conspiracy to distribute narcotics and two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Jurors also convicted Jose Castellon of conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine.
The brothers will be sentenced in March 2001 by U.S. District Judge Gary L. Taylor. They both face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
FBI agents began investigating the Castellon brothers, who authorities say were the leaders of the drug ring, in 1997 after an East Coast drug dealer turned informant. Their convictions bring to 14 the number of people now found guilty in connection with the drug ring, said U.S. Attorney Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
A multiagency task force, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and police departments in Anaheim, Corona, Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana and Los Angeles seized more than five pounds of methamphetamine.