Ruskin Drug Trafficker Sentenced To Federal Prison

Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Javier Alejandro Anaya-Leal (31, Ruskin) to eight years in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. The court also ordered Anaya-Leal to forfeit $9,750, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Anaya-Leal entered a guilty plea on July 11, 2024.

According to court documents, from 2022 through 2023, Anaya-Leal possessed with the intent to distribute more than 1,400 grams of methamphetamine and four kilograms of cocaine. In July, August, and September 2022, Anaya-Leal sold more than 1,400 grams of 97% pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant (CI) working with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

On March 4, 2024, Anaya-Leal agreed to sell two to three kilograms of cocaine. The CI met with Anaya-Leal at his residence in Hillsborough County to complete the transaction. A courier, later identified as Matias Sanchez Cardosa, arrived a short while later with the cocaine. After the courier's arrival, the CI left the residence to retrieve payment for the drugs. During this time, law enforcement agents moved in to arrest Anaya-Leal and Cardosa. Four kilograms of cocaine were discovered in Cardosa's vehicle. Anaya-Leal was supposed to receive all four of the kilograms to distribute throughout the Middle District of Florida.

Matias Sanchez Cardosa was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison on October 21, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale.