Undocumented Mexican national from Hazlehurst sentenced to 215 months for possessing ‘kilograms’ of meth

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (WTOC) - Ismael Delgado-Celis was sentenced to a term of 215 months of imprisonment for Possession and Attempt to Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 grams or more of Methamphetamine on August 28, 2025.

Delgado-Celis is a Mexican national who was unlawfully residing in Hazlehurst, Georgia.

The sentence was handed out by the Honorable Lisa Godbey Wood in Brunswick, Georgia, and followed a jury trial where the Defendant was found guilty of possessing and attempting to possess with the intent to distribute over four pounds of 100% pure methamphetamine.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to a press release from the Attorney General’s office, though testimony and evidence the Government established that, “on September 12, 2024, the Defendant attempted to receive a package directly from Mexico containing what was described as a horse saddle. Upon further inspection, law enforcement found methamphetamine hidden inside.”

SEE MORE: Undocumented immigrant convicted of possession with intent to distribute meth

“Using a shipping service to traffic dangerous drugs not only threatens our communities but also places unsuspecting workers at risk,” said Jae W. Chung, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division.

“DEA investigators remain committed to intercepting these packages and stopping the poison before it reaches the streets.”

Before the package was delivered, law enforcement agents removed the saddle and over two kilograms of pure methamphetamine that had been hidden inside.

The evidence revealed that this horse saddle seemed to have been constructed around the package of drugs, a sophisticated method of importing illegal drugs into the United States.

The package was then delivered to the Defendant by law enforcement under the ruse of an actual package delivery by the United States Postal Service.

The Defendant accepted the package from law enforcement, brought it inside his residence to store before distributing, and was subsequently arrested by law enforcement.

“Postal Inspectors will continue to support our law enforcement partners in the removal of lethal and dangerous drugs to keep communities safe,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division.

“Methamphetamine destroys lives, families, and communities. This amount of methamphetamine could have devastated the community. I am pleased to work with such great law enforcement partners. It takes a network of law enforcement professionals to dismantle a network of criminals,” stated United States Attorney Margaret E. Heap.

“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.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigation, Customs and Border Protection, and the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office.

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