Javier Alejandro Anaya-Leal, 31, of Ruskin, Florida, has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute both methamphetamine and cocaine. U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday also ordered Anaya-Leal to forfeit $9,750, which was determined to be traceable to the proceeds of his illegal drug trafficking activities.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the conviction stems from a drug trafficking operation involving Anaya-Leal, which was uncovered by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) following an undercover investigation.
On March 4, 2024, a confidential informant (CI) working with the DEA contacted Anaya-Leal regarding the purchase of cocaine. Anaya-Leal instructed the CI to meet him at his residence in Ruskin, stating that a courier was on the way from Orlando with the drugs. When the CI arrived at the residence, Anaya-Leal agreed to sell between two and three kilograms of cocaine. Shortly thereafter, the courier, identified as Matias Sanchez Cardosa, arrived at Anaya-Leal’s residence with the cocaine in tow.
After Cardosa’s arrival, law enforcement agents arrested both Anaya-Leal and Cardosa. A search of Cardosa’s vehicle revealed a multi-colored bag in the trunk containing approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine. Additionally, agents discovered three brick-like packages of suspected cocaine in a blue bag found in the front passenger floorboard.
A DEA forensic chemist later confirmed that the substances recovered from Cardosa’s vehicle were indeed cocaine, weighing more than four kilograms.
This conviction highlights the ongoing efforts of federal authorities to disrupt drug trafficking operations and hold individuals accountable for their involvement in the illegal drug trade.
