JAN 19 — (Indianapolis) Jesus Manuel Fierro-Mendez, 47, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, was sentenced on January 15, 2010, by U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Barker to 324 months in prison. Fierro-Mendez was sentenced subsequent to his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Fierro-Mendez’ arrest and prosecution was the result of a year-long investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The cocaine trafficking organization led by Fierro-Mendez operated out of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico between July 20, 2007 and August 29, 2007. Evidence in the DEA investigation revealed that Fierro-Mendez was a high-level operative in the Juarez Cartel. While Fierro-Mendez oversaw the transportation and distribution of cocaine, he also served as a police officer in the Puma unit in Juarez, Mexico. The Puma unit is a counter-narcotics task force operating within the Juarez police force.