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📍 Lincoln, Nebraska — July 9, 2025
Guadalupe Ramirez, 40, of North Platte, has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy that spanned multiple states. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Bazis, includes a 10-year supervised release period following incarceration. There is no parole in the federal system.
🚨 Key Role in Drug Network Ramirez, known by the alias “Shrek,” was identified as second in command of a drug trafficking ring that moved between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine into Nebraska between 2021 and 2024. The narcotics were primarily shipped from California and Mexico, then distributed across the state, reaching as far east as Omaha.
🔫 Firearms and Social Media Evidence Investigators uncovered Ramirez’s association with firearms, including social media posts discussing weapons and a video showing him firing a gun from a vehicle used in drug operations.
🏆 Award-Winning Investigation The multi-agency investigation was recognized as the 2024 Community Impact Operation of the Year by the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). It resulted in:
- 36 federal indictments
- 22 local arrests
- Seizures of drugs, firearms, and cash
🗣️ Statements from Officials
- Judge Bazis: “A lot of drugs moved through Nebraska because of you.”
- FBI Special Agent Eugene Kowel: “This was not a victimless crime. It devastated families and communities.”
- U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods: “This case shows what full collaboration between prosecutors and investigators can achieve.”
🔍 Task Force Collaboration The case was led by the Cooperative Organization for Drug Enforcement (CODE) and supported by agencies including the FBI, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and multiple local law enforcement units across a 22-county region.
This operation was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative, which targets high-level criminal organizations through coordinated, intelligence-driven efforts.
For official details, see the U.S. Attorney’s Office release.
