A Mexican citizen will spend over 12 years in federal prison after he was sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking operation.

In 2010, 36 year-old Juan Arellano Padilla pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one count of distributing methamphetamine.

Wichita Police began investigating a suspected drug ring with ties to Mexico, in 2009. Working with Oklahoma City Police and the DEA, four other co-defendants were identified and have been sentenced for their role in the trafficking ring:

Carlos Ramirez, who was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison.

Alejandro R. Hernandez, who was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison.

Ponciano Munoz-Meraz, who was sentenced to 70 months.

Guillermo Amparan, who was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom commended Wichita Police, the Oklahoma City Police Department, the DEA and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case