A member of the Sinaloa Cartel was sentenced to prison in another Operation “Sweet Silence” case, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Juan Carlos Torres-Arzapalo, 41 years old and originally from Mexico, was sentenced to 135 months in prison on Wednesday May 6, 2026, after having pleaded guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy on October 27, 2025.

According to the Department of Justice, Torres-Arzapalo could be deported once his sentence is served. Authorities point out that parole does not exist in the federal system.

“Street gangs were responsible for a wave of violence in Columbus and surrounding areas,” stated Rich Bilson, Deputy Agent in-Charge of the FBI Atlanta Office.

“Columbus is now a safer place thanks to the FBI and our partners have effectively dismantled this armed organization of " drug trafficking. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to keep our streets safe."

The Department of Justice states that Operation “Sweet Silence” is a campaign directed against violent crime and drug trafficking linked to criminal organizations in the Columbus region.

Within the framework of this operation, a total of $270 million in drugs was seized, including $20 million in cocaine, ethamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana, in Columbus. Operation Sweet Silence also seized 119 firearms in the Columbus area.

“Our goal is to dismantle the cartels and armed criminal organizations that terrorize our communities and bring them to justice,” stated Federal Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, William R. “Will” Keyes.

Federal agents identified co-defendant Ulises Cervantes as a global cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana trafficker, who obtained drugs from the Sinaloa Cartel. However, Cervantes does not identify himself as a cartel member.

The Department of Justice indicates that, while Cervantes was based in Sacramento, California, he also had residences in Columbus and Phenix City.

Federal agents later discovered that Torres-Arzapolo collaborated closely with Cervantes to distribute drugs in the Middle District of Georgia.

Federal agents claim to have intercepted several calls between Cervantes, Torres-Arzapolo and a third person related to drug trafficking, prices and transactions.

Keyes added: “Those cross the border illegally to commit violent crimes, distribute dangerous drugs and wreak chaos in the Middle District “e Georgia will be prosecuted ​​with the full weight of the law. Operation “Sweet Silence” demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between law enforcement.”