PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — A twice-deported man from Mexico was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for his role in the largest cocaine seizure in Green Bay’s history.
Ruben Salgado-Espinoza, 51, was convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine and illegally re-entering the United States after being removed.
According to court records, Salgado-Espinoza led a large-scale drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine. He operated from a compound in Rockford, Illinois, where he received bulk shipments of cocaine from a source of supply in Mexico. Salgado-Espinoza also modified vehicles to include sophisticated hidden compartments—commonly referred to as “trap cars”—designed to conceal and transport illegal drugs. He sold these vehicles to other drug distributors to facilitate distribution.
On April 22, 2025, during an undercover operation, Salgado-Espinoza was arrested in Green Bay in possession of approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine, which constitutes the largest cocaine seizure in Green Bay history.
Following his arrest, Salgado-Espinoza admitted that he was unlawfully present in the United States and had distributed between 18 and 35 kilograms of cocaine per month over the past 18 months. The cocaine attributed to Salgado-Espinoza has an estimated street value of several million dollars.
Salgado-Espinoza unlawfully entered the United States and was previously removed in 1998 and 2002. Upon completion of his 169-month sentence, he will again be removed to Mexico.
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