Two drug traffickers have been sentenced to prison. Luis Chavez-Navarro (dob 4/11/01) and Luisa Cardona-Valle (dob 1/10/97) were given 10-25 years and 8-20 years in prison, respectively, after pleading guilty to Trafficking in Controlled Substances.
The investigation into Chavez-Navarro and Cardona-Valle began in January of this year, when detectives with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), Reno Police Department (RPD), and Sparks Police Department (SPD) working together as the Regional Narcotics Unit (RNU) received information that fentanyl was being sold locally by Honduran drug traffickers from the Bay Area. Law enforcement organized an undercover sale with Chavez-Navarro, where he agreed to sell almost 9 pounds of fentanyl and 2 pounds of methamphetamine. During the operation, detectives learned that Chavez-Navarro would regularly sell alongside Cardona-Valle. On January 23rd, when the two drug traffickers arrived to deliver the fentanyl and methamphetamine, they were met by detectives who took them into custody. A search of the car uncovered 9 and a half pounds of fentanyl and two pounds of meth contained in a backpack as well as a hidden compartment in the vehicle.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Vieta-Kabell asked for the lengthy prison sentences and noted that the amount of fentanyl the defendants were selling was more than four times the amount needed for every person in Washoe County to receive a fatal dose. He also presented evidence of Cardona-Valle’s previous arrests for possession of drugs for sale, and both defendants’ histories of suspicious money transfers to Honduras and Mexico. Honorable Judge Kathleen Drakulich presided and imposed the sentence.
A recording of the press release for media can be heard below. Mug shots can be found on the WCDA Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Luis Chavez-Navarro and Luisa Cardona-Valle press release audio recording
