Methamphetamine Sales Lead To Prison Term For Plant City Man: DEA

PLANT CITY, FL — A 59-year-old Plant City has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday sentenced Ubertino Zavala-Perez to prison time after Zavala-Perez pleaded guilty on Aug. 31.

According to court documents, Ubertino Zavala-Perez conspired with people in Mexico to distribute and import methamphetamine from Mexico.

On March 30, Zavala-Perez sold half a kilogram of methamphetamine imported from Mexico to an undercover agent for $3,750 and, on April 1, Zavala-Perez agreed to sell another kilogram of methamphetamine to an undercover agent, said the Department of Justice.

During a search of his home, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Plant City Police Department reported finding two loaded firearms and additional quantities of methamphetamine.

Zavala-Perez also admitted to authorities that he stored methamphetamine in an off-site storage unit and inside a shed on his property, according to court records. Inside the shed, law enforcement said they discovered freeze-dried bags containing methamphetamine.