Weapon seized as part of the case

APR 17 -- (San Diego, CA) On April 16, 2009, Harold Lloyd Garner of National City, California, was sentenced in federal court before the Honorable Thomas J. Whelan, United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of California to a custodial term of 168 months. Harold Garner plead guilty to conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1). As part of his plea, Harold Garner admitted to smuggling, transporting and distributing methamphetamine during a three year period while living in National City, California. Garner arranged for couriers to smuggle methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico. Garner then distributed the methamphetamine in National City and other locations throughout the United States.

Garner was arrested on March 28, 2008, following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the San Diego Narcotics Task Force (NTF). Garner’s spouse Monica Flores-Garner was also arrested at that time for her involvement in Garner’s illegal activities. Co-defendant Flores-Garner received a 46-month sentence after pleading guilty to using a communication device to facilitate drug trafficking activities, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b).

"The collaborative effort of the DEA, NTF and U.S. Attorney’s Office has led to the sentencing of a major drug dealer and ultimately safer streets within our community. This should send a message that drug dealers and their associates can’t do business in this community without the watchful eye of local, state and federal agencies", said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen M. Tomaski.

Meth seized in the case.

Defendant Guadalupe Gonzalez-Alvarado was sentenced to108 months in custody by the Honorable Jeffrey T. Miller, United States District Court Judge on March 6, 2009. Gonzalez-Alvarado smuggled methamphetamine through the border for Harold Garner and others. Defendant Alvarado was arrested on August 10, 2007, while attempting to enter the United States through the San Ysidro Port of Entry with approximately two pounds of methamphetamine in Tupperware containers and approximately 2 pounds of heroin in her waistband area. She pled guilty to two felony counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1).

United States Attorney Hewitt stated, “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting those who would distribute drugs on ours streets that harm our citizens.” She also praised the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) for the coordinated team effort in the culmination of this investigation. Several local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies assisted in this OCDETF investigation, including DEA and San Diego Narcotics Task Force. The OCDETF program was created to consolidate and utilize all law enforcement resources in this country’s battle against major drug trafficking.

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Harold Lloyd Garner (Age 39)
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine
Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846
Penalties: 10-year minimum mandatory to life in custody; 5 years of supervised release, $1,000,000 fine

Monica Flores-Garner (Age 34)
Using Communication Device to Facilitate Drug Trafficking
Title 21, United States Code, Section 843
Penalties: 48 months maximum in custody; 1 year of supervised release, $250,000 fine

Guadalupe Gonzalez-Alvarado (Age 43)
Possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine & Heroin
Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1)
Penalties: 10-year minimum mandatory to life in custody; 5 years of supervised release, $1,000,000 fine

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

San Diego Narcotics Task Force
California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement
National City Police Department
El Cajon Police Department
U.S. Attorney’s Office

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