Thomas W. Padden Acting Director at OCDETF | OCDETF
Thomas W. Padden Acting Director at OCDETF | OCDETF
Reyes Ernesto Garcia-Urquizo, 38, of Broken Bow, Nebraska, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentencing took place on September 11, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis handed down the sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. After serving his prison term, Garcia-Urquizo will be subject to five years of supervised release and faces deportation due to his previous illegal status in the United States.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, law enforcement began investigating after receiving information in late 2023 about a person picking up methamphetamine from a Hispanic male in Broken Bow. In early 2024, an anonymous tip led investigators to two Dawson County residents who were allegedly distributing large amounts of methamphetamine sourced from Broken Bow.
Investigators with the CODE Drug Task Force observed these individuals making frequent trips out of town and visiting residences associated with drug activity upon their return. Controlled buys were conducted as part of the investigation. During one transaction, a target indicated he needed to travel to Broken Bow for more methamphetamine. Surveillance led investigators to identify Garcia-Urquizo as the suspected supplier.
Further investigation revealed that Garcia-Urquizo’s associate would contact him and meet at rural intersections before returning home. Law enforcement also determined that Garcia-Urquizo traveled to Colorado to collect methamphetamine at a known drop location used for drugs trafficked from Mexico.
The case was investigated by the CODE Task Force—a coalition of law enforcement agencies covering a 22-county area in west-central and southwest Nebraska—with participation from federal partners including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, as well as state and local agencies such as the Nebraska State Patrol and North Platte Police Department.
"This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach," according to information provided by officials. Additional details about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
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