-information courtesy of the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District
The U.S. Attorney’s office announced that Olegario Pineda-Palacios, 35, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for importing multi-kilograms of methamphetamine into North Carolina.
According to a press release from the office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District Michael F. Easley, Jr., Pineda-Palacios pled guilty in March 2024 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a substance containing methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Pineda-Palacios was coordinating with individuals in Mexico to receive shipments of methamphetamine in Franklin County. After locating a shipment containing approximately four kilograms of methamphetamine, in September 2022, Homeland Security Investigations, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at the residence of Pineda-Palacios. On the property behind the residence, law enforcement found a conversion methamphetamine lab – where powdered methamphetamine was converted to crystal methamphetamine, or “Ice,” as it is known.
Law enforcement also recovered a 9mm firearm and additional methamphetamine from the residence.
Pineda-Palacios has prior felony convictions for conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, operating a vehicle containing a secret compartment, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and illegal reentry of a previously deported alien. Pineda-Palacios is in the country illegally and faces deportation after serving his sentence.
