BRUNSWICK, Ga. () — A Mexican citizen living unlawfully in Hazlehurst was sentenced to more than 15 years for drug offenses on Friday, according to a spokesperson from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Ismael Delgado-Celis, 37, received a sentence approaching 18 years after a jury convicted him of possessing and trying to possess with intent to distribute over four pounds of 100% pure methamphetamine, authorities stated. The federal system does not offer parole.

The charges arose from an occurrence on Sept. 12, 2024, where Delgado-Celis sought to obtain a package from Mexico containing meth, said the U.S. Attorney’s spokesperson.

The package was reportedly described as a horse saddle but had been constructed around the drugs and had over two kilograms of meth inside.

Law enforcement then delivered the package to Delgado-Celis, who accepted the package before being arrested.

“Methamphetamine destroys lives, families, and communities,” said U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Heap. “This quantity of methamphetamine could have caused severe harm to the community. I am pleased to work with such exceptional law enforcement partners. Dismantling a network of criminals requires a concerted effort from law enforcement professionals.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, and the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation for this case.

Southern District of Georgia Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Bondura and Deputy Criminal Chief E. Greg Gilluly, Jr. prosecuted the case for the United States.