Illegal Alien Sentenced to Nearly 18 Years for Trafficking Meth Hidden in a Horse Saddle

BRUNSWICK, Ga.—A Mexican national illegally residing in the United States has been sentenced to 215 months (nearly 18 years) in federal prison for possessing and attempting to possess with intent to distribute more than four pounds of pure methamphetamine.

On August 28, U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood sentenced Ismael Delgado-Celis, 37, of Hazlehurst, following a jury trial where he was found guilty. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to evidence presented at the trial, on September 12, 2024, Delgado-Celis attempted to receive a package from Mexico containing a horse saddle. Law enforcement discovered that the saddle had been constructed around a package containing over two kilograms of pure methamphetamine. Agents removed the drugs and delivered the package to Delgado-Celis under the guise of a regular USPS delivery. Delgado-Celis accepted the package and was subsequently arrested.

U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Heap stated that “this amount of methamphetamine could have devastated the community,” and praised the network of law enforcement professionals involved in dismantling the criminal network.

“The sentencing of Delgado-Celis underscores the unwavering commitment of Homeland Security Investigations to protect our communities from the devastating impact of drug trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama Steven N. Schrank. “Smuggling pure methamphetamine hidden in a horse saddle and shipping it across the country is not only brazen but deeply harmful to the safety and well-being of our communities. This case is a testament to the tireless efforts of HSI and our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who seek to flood our streets with dangerous drugs are held accountable. We will continue to pursue justice and dismantle criminal networks wherever they operate.”

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection, and the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office.