Drug Trafficker Who Used College-Age Drivers to Import Methamphetamine Sentenced to 12 Years Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California Byline: Kelly Thornton Dateline: San Diego, California Date: 17 May 2024 Subjects: American Government , Crime

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – May 17, 2024

SAN DIEGO – Fernando Castro Bazan, a Los Angeles-based drug trafficker, was sentenced in federal court today to 12 years in prison for his leadership role in a drug trafficking organization that employed drivers as young as 18 years old to import large quantities of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico in the gas tanks of rental cars.

Castro Bazan, also known as “Benji” or “Benji Banks,” started using drivers to transport drugs for a Tijuana-based drug trafficking organization in the spring of 2021. Using his status as a club promoter and amateur musician, Castro Bazan hired numerous college-aged drivers, luring them with the prospect of easy money and “all-expenses-paid trips to Mexico.”

A number of the young drivers Castro Bazan employed were arrested at the border and convicted of drug trafficking or related offenses. They now have federal felony convictions on their records.

At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta noted that Castro Bazan had a “catastrophic and terrible impact on the lives of young people—teenagers—who had the misfortune to come across his path.”

“Not only did this defendant import staggering amounts of a deadly drug into our community, he took advantage of vulnerable young people who failed to appreciate the tremendous risk involved,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “He turned college-age kids into traffickers and will serve a significant sentence for it.”

Castro Bazan is also facing drug charges in the Eastern District of California for his role in a distribution conspiracy that used couriers to deliver narcotics direct to buyers in Northern California.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert J. Miller and Shivanjali A. Sewak.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 22cr971-001-JO                                   

Fernando Castro Bazan                                  Age: 32                                   Los Angeles, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Import Methamphetamine – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 952, 960 and 963

Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine

Minimum penalty: Ten years in prison

Importation of Methamphetamine – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 952 and 960

Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine

Minimum penalty: Ten years in prison

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

Homeland Security Investigations

Media Relations Director Kelly Thornton (619) 546-9726 or Kelly.Thornton@usdoj.gov

Updated May 17, 2024

Press Release Number: CAS24-0517-Castro