Prison or jail barbed wire fence

A 53-year-old Orlando man who pleaded guilty to cocaine trafficking charges will spend the next 14 years behind bars.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday sentenced Matias Sanchez Cardosa, Jr. to 14 years in federal prison for possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute it.

Cardosa had entered a guilty plea in early June.

According to court documents, on March 4, a confidential informant (CI) working with the Drug Enforcement Administration contacted a man, identified as Javier Alejandro Anaya-Leal, to inquire about purchasing cocaine.

Anaya-Leal instructed the CI to meet him at a home in Ruskin. Cardosa soon arrived at that residence with cocaine that he had brought from Orlando.

Court records show that Cardosa, Anaya-Leal, and the CI met inside the Ruskin home. The CI informed law enforcement that Cardosa had arrived at the property with two bags, which contained approximately 4.5 kilograms of cocaine.

Cardosa and Anaya-Leal were later arrested by DEA agents.

During a search of Cardosa’s vehicle, the agents located a bag in the trunk that contained approximately one and a half kilograms of cocaine. In addition, on the front passenger floorboard, another bag was discovered that contained three “brick-like packages” of cocaine.

Anaya-Leal previously pleaded guilty for his role in this case, and his sentencing hearing is set for Friday, November 1.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shauna S. Hale.