A Newark man was sentenced on Apr. 8 to 30 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and illegal reentry into the United States after removal. U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall handed down the sentence.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address both drug trafficking and repeat immigration offenses. The defendant, Adan Cuevas-Arteaga, age 44, had previously been deported to Mexico five times between 2007 and 2019 before returning illegally and engaging in drug sales.
According to court documents, law enforcement recovered cocaine, digital scales, drug packaging material, $7,400 in cash, and two rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition from Cuevas-Arteaga’s residence and car during a search. “The defendant demonstrated a blatant disregard for our nation’s laws by repeatedly entering the United States unlawfully, and, once here, profiting from the distribution of illegal narcotics,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace. “My office will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to vigorously prosecute drug dealers, especially those who have no legal right to be in the United States in the first place.”
Federal Bureau of Investigation Baltimore Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul said: “The distribution of illegal narcotics continues to plague our communities… Adan Cuevas-Arteaga profited from trafficking cocaine while disregarding our immigration laws needed for public safety. Today’s charges serve as a reminder that the FBI, through the Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force, will continue to target these offenders and the adverse impact they are having on our communities.”
The FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force investigated this case with prosecution by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Ibrahim.
Additional information about this case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware or through PACER by searching Case No. 25-CR-134.