A Hazleton man has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison after being convicted of selling methamphetamine to undercover agents in two separate transactions. His attempt to flee the country to avoid prosecution ultimately failed, resulting in his arrest and sentencing.
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Brian Castillo, 33, was sentenced to 151 months in prison by a federal judge on June 12, 2025, following his guilty plea earlier this year. The charges stem from two methamphetamine sales in August and September 2021, where Castillo sold a total of 97 grams of the drug to undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents for $1,000 per transaction. Both controlled purchases occurred in Hazleton.
After learning he was under investigation, Castillo fled the United States in an effort to evade law enforcement. He was apprehended nearly three years later, on July 8, 2024, while attempting to re-enter the country. Castillo pleaded guilty to one of the charges in February 2025.
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The investigation was led by the DEA and the Pennsylvania State Police. The prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and drug trafficking through coordinated law enforcement efforts and community engagement. Residents of Hazleton and the surrounding area are reminded that these efforts are ongoing to improve public safety and reduce drug-related activity.
Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania
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