A 51-year-old Riverside man was sentenced to 21 years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine from Mexico to the Inland Empire, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Monday, May 6. Timoteo Gomez, a lead defendant among 21 people arrested in a meth-distribution ring bust in 2021, pleaded guilty in 2022 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Between April and August 2020, Gomez and others purchased meth from suppliers in Mexico, Los Angeles and Riverside counties, including smuggling nearly 47 pounds of meth from the U.S. port of entry at Calexico to Riverside County, officials said in a statement. In total, 16 people have been convicted, and over 150 pounds of methamphetamine and $31,035 in cash were seized, authorities said. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | 14 more felony arrests made in Rancho Cucamonga anti-theft crackdown Crime and Public Safety | Man who led Murrieta police on chase that injured 8 gets 5 years in prison Crime and Public Safety | Assault rifle, journal in UC Riverside student’s dorm leads to suspension, possible criminal charges, authorities say Crime and Public Safety | Innocent motorist killed in pursuit crash, armed suspect killed by Ontario police Crime and Public Safety | 2 bodies found in human-dug ‘cave’ in Northridge