Drug Smuggler Sentenced to Nearly Two Decades Behind Bars

Published on June 27, 2017

GREELEY, Colo. (Weld County D.A.) – A 23-year-old dual citizen will spend nearly two decades in the Department of Corrections for smuggling drugs into the country and selling them to local distributors in Colorado.

Alan Hernandez-Guzman, a resident of both Mexico and Arizona, was sentenced today to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance.

According to the arrest affidavit, Hernandez-Guzman worked for a leader of a Mexican cartel. The defendant would hide drugs in his vehicle, smuggle them across the border, and after entering the country would then sell the narcotics to distributors across multiple states.

“He repeatedly supplied local dealers with large amounts of methamphetamine and heroin directly from the Mexican cartel,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wrenn at today’s sentencing.

Hernandez-Guzman first came under local authorities’ radar after he sold methamphetamine to Liz Navarro, who was also being investigated by the Weld County Drug Task Force for illegal drug activity. After watching him for several months, investigators eventually arrested the defendant and found nearly $60,000 stuffed inside his car door panel and more than 10 pounds of meth.

“The defendant took advantage of his dual citizenship and preyed upon the people of Greeley and Weld County,” said Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke. “Drug mules, like the defendant, only care about their bottom line. They have a blatant disregard for our health and safety, and they thrive off destroying our communities and targeting those with addictions. We must hold them and their violent organizations accountable.”

Navarro was also later arrested and charged. She eventually pleaded guilty in January to two counts and sentenced to 20 years in prison.