DRUG BUST: Senior Couple Sold and Trafficked Meth in Idaho

There is no age limit for making bad decisions in life. An elderly couple from Oregon was recently caught trafficking and selling drugs in Idaho.

The couple are Mexican nationals illegally living in Oregon.

Couple 81 and 70 Years Old Caught Selling a Lot of Meth in Idaho

The man, 81-year-old Efren Avilez-Lopez, and his wife, 70-year-old Maria Medina-Zeveda were busted in April of 2023 selling drugs to an undercover cop. The bust happened in a Nampa store parking lot where the couple sold 5 pounds of meth to the officer.

The couple were sentenced earlier this month to serve time in federal prison. Efren was sentenced to 9 years for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and Maria was sentenced to 37 months for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Both will be deported after their sentence is served.

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The elderly couple was also caught traveling from Los Angeles to Ontario with 21 pounds of meth in the car. They had 4 family members with them at the time, including a child.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Idaho released the following information:

“These defendants were a driving force behind a significant drug trafficking organization that, thanks to law enforcement, has been dismantled,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit. “While it is not common for us to find drug traffickers at this stage of life, make no mistake: these defendants earned their sentences. We will continue to do our part to ensure that justice is applied fairly and equitably to all, regardless of age or background.”

“The drug threat can come from anywhere and is not restricted to any age or demographic, as this case dramatically illustrates,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Whether these criminals are old or young, the Drug Enforcement Administration and our partners will relentlessly pursue those who poison our communities with methamphetamine or other dangerous drugs.”

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