Mexican drug cartel member imprisoned for trafficking meth in Charlotte

A member of a Mexican drug cartel was sentenced to at least nine years in federal prison on Thursday for trafficking large amounts of crystal methamphetamine in Charlotte.

Mario Canino-Morales, 44, of Puerto Rico pleaded guilty in December to one count each of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Court records show Canino-Morales and co-defendant Fernando Morales-Matos admitted to being part of the Mexican cartel with intentions to expand methamphetamine distribution in Charlotte. The pair trafficked more than 2.5 kilograms of 96-percent pure methamphetamine in June and July 2016, prosecutors said.

Police seized methamphetamine and a loaded 9mm handgun when they arrested Canino-Morales, according to court documents.

Morales-Matos previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and awaits sentencing.

This story was originally published July 27, 2017 at 4:47 PM with the headline "Mexican drug cartel member imprisoned for trafficking meth in Charlotte."