TYLER, Texas. An illegal immigrant from Mexico and a Tyler man have each been sentenced to more than 13 years in federal prison after authorities uncovered a large-scale methamphetamine conversion operation and drug distribution operation in Smith County.
U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs announced that Daniel Garibay-Barriga, 39, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, and Craig Allen Wallace, 50, of Tyler, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
On July 21, U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle sentenced Garibay-Barriga to 168 months in federal prison. Wallace was sentenced to 165 months in federal prison during the same hearing.
According to court documents, investigators executed a search warrant on Jan. 28, 2025, at Wallace's residence on Farm-to-Market Road 724 near Tyler following a drug trafficking investigation.
During the search, law enforcement officers discovered two outbuildings containing equipment and materials consistent with a clandestine methamphetamine conversion laboratory. Investigators found heating sources, volatile solvents, filtering equipment, mesh screens and large storage containers used in the drug manufacturing process.
Authorities seized approximately 44.71 liters of liquid containing methamphetamine in various stages of production, along with 9.57 kilograms of crystallized methamphetamine ready for distribution.
Investigators also discovered a recreational vehicle on the property that authorities described as a makeshift drug store. Inside the RV, officers found methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana and numerous THC products.
Inside Wallace's residence, investigators recovered nine firearms.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Gregg County Sheriff's Office and the Smith County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek prosecuted the case.
Because Garibay-Barriga and Wallace have pleaded guilty, been convicted and sentenced, the case has been adjudicated.
