For three years, a Columbus man was a major link to Mexico's drug cartels, distributing tons of marijuana from central Ohio while reaping millions of dollars.
Now, Rafael Hernandez-Carillo will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Hernandez-Carillo, 31, who lived on the Northwest Side, was sentenced yesterday to life in a federal prison by U.S. District Judge James L. Graham.
A jury had convicted him in September 2009 of operating a continuing criminal enterprise.
During the trial, witnesses told of how he was responsible from 2005 through 2008 for bringing in more than 22 tons of marijuana from Sonora, Mexico. The drug was sold in central Ohio and sent to dealers in Dayton, Mansfield and Detroit.
The operation earned more than $10 million a year, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
As part of his sentencing yesterday, Hernandez-Carillo had to forfeit $263,956 in cash that was seized during the investigation, along with real estate and jewelry.
A task force that included DEA agents and detectives with the Franklin and Madison county sheriff's offices served 32 search warrants during the course of the investigation.
One of the more curious discoveries was a religious statue found in his home; one witness explained that Hernadez-Carillo displayed it because he thought it helped keep law-enforcement officers from his residence.
Hernandez-Carillo was arrested Feb. 27, 2008, at his Curtis Knoll Drive home, where investigators found most of the cash and jewelry valued at about $500,000.
Five others have been convicted for their roles in the drug operation.
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