Houston duo jailed for 13.5 years over massive methamphetamine trafficking ring

Two Houston men have been sentenced to 13.5 years in prison for running a large-scale methamphetamine operation. Edgar Prudencio Ruiz and Damian Lee Gutierrez were found guilty of conspiracy and drug distribution after a lengthy investigation. The pair had imported and sold over 130 kilograms of crystal meth with a street value exceeding $200,000. The case began on 17 June 2025, when Ruiz and Gutierrez delivered five kilograms of methamphetamine to an undercover officer. This triggered a wider investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, supported by local law enforcement.

During the probe, authorities seized 10 gallon-sized bags of crystal meth and two loaded 9mm pistols from a Toyota Tacoma linked to the defendants. A further search of Gutierrez's home uncovered 122 more gallon-sized bags of the drug. A jury later convicted both men of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute. The narcotics were traced back to Mexico, where Ruiz and Gutierrez sourced their supply before distributing it in Houston. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer B. Lowery and Eric Smith handled the prosecution. Following the trial, Ruiz and Gutierrez were sentenced to 162 months in federal prison. They remain in custody and will soon be transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.

The investigation removed over 130 kilograms of methamphetamine from circulation, valued at more than $200,000. Both defendants received identical prison terms after their roles in the conspiracy were confirmed. The case was prosecuted under federal drug trafficking laws.