Ruben Salgado-Espinoza was sentenced on April 14 to 169 months in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine and illegally re-entering the United States after removal, according to an announcement by Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Salgado-Espinoza’s sentencing follows his role as leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization that distributed hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, operating from Rockford, Illinois. He used modified vehicles with hidden compartments—known as “trap cars”—to conceal and transport drugs, which were then sold to other distributors. His arrest took place in Green Bay during an undercover operation on April 22, 2025, where authorities seized approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine. This is reported as the largest single cocaine seizure in Green Bay’s history.
After his arrest, Salgado-Espinoza admitted he had been unlawfully present in the country and had distributed between 18 and 35 kilograms of cocaine per month over the previous year and a half. The total street value of the drugs attributed to him amounts to several million dollars. He had previously been removed from the United States twice—in 1998 and again in 2002—and will be deported once more following completion of his sentence.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel said, “this case demonstrates why we must keep our border secure. The United States twice deported this defendant, and he came back again, bringing with him the largest amount of cocaine ever seized in the history of the Green Bay area. He should have been prevented from setting foot on U.S. soil again. The drugs he trafficked delivered great suffering to countless people struggling with addiction, as well as the pervasive violence and other crime that accompanies the illegal drug trade. This time, the defendant will rightly serve a very long time in prison before he will be once again removed from our country. Hopefully this time we will ensure he never returns.”
John McGarry, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at Drug Enforcement Administration Milwaukee District Office said: “This sentence sends a clear message: those who lead large-scale drug trafficking operations will be identified, prosecuted, and held accountable… The DEA remains steadfast in working with our partners to dismantle these organizations and protect our communities.”
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including federal prosecutors such as those at the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, which contributes to community safety across Eastern Wisconsin through public service efforts; it is part of the U.S Department of Justice and serves Eastern Wisconsin through impartial justice delivery; works alongside law enforcement partners at all levels; handles federal prosecutions; manages offices both in Milwaukee and Green Bay; operates as a federal prosecutorial entity; protects rights while enhancing safety—all according to the official website.
Looking ahead after serving his sentence Salgado-Espinoza faces another removal proceeding back to Mexico.
