SAN DIEGO—A former San Diego-based U.S. Marine who coordinated the trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States was sentenced Friday to 12 years in federal prison.
While stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Roberto Salazar II recruited people to work as couriers—including fellow former Marines—to transport drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Along with fentanyl, prosecutors say Salazar directed the movement of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, and sometimes transported those drugs personally.
According to Salazar’s plea agreement, these activities stretched from around 2015 until early last year. Prosecutors say “dozens” of smuggling incidents occurred over that time period under Salazar’s direction….