A Honduran man was sentenced on April 21 to five and a half years in federal prison for his involvement in a major drug operation and for illegally returning to the United States, according to a May 7 announcement by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle.
Jorge Aguilar-Martinez, age 30, received the sentence at U.S. District Court in Seattle. He is expected to be returned to Honduras after serving his time. The sentencing follows an HSI-led investigation called Operation Sledgehammer, which targeted a conspiracy distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine across the Pacific Northwest.
According to authorities, Mexican drug cartels are responsible for most of the fentanyl smuggled into the country. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel operate global criminal enterprises that rely on extensive supply chains. Aguilar-Martinez was arrested in October 2025 after helping connect an undercover law enforcement customer with suppliers offering large quantities of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine.
Following the arranged deal, Aguilar-Martinez and two co-conspirators were apprehended with about 28 pounds of methamphetamine—some hidden in cereal boxes—and approximately 10,000 fentanyl pills. All three individuals were living illegally in the United States; Aguilar-Martinez had prior arrests for assault and controlled substance offenses in California and Washington as well as convictions for domestic violence, assault, and harassing communications. His co-conspirators have since been removed from the country by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“HSI tracks, intercepts, investigates and stops illegal narcotics from flowing into our country,” said acting HSI Seattle Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “We safeguard the public, keeping drugs off our streets and away from our families and friends.”
Operation Sledgehammer has led to over one hundred investigations nationwide resulting in hundreds of pounds of narcotics seized along with significant cash assets as well as numerous arrests at both federal and state levels. The operation included collaboration between HSI, Drug Enforcement Administration’s Seattle Field Division, Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team focusing on areas south of Seattle—including communities within Green River valley—and other law enforcement partners.
The case is also part of Operation Take Back America—a national effort aimed at eliminating cartels, transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling operations, illegal immigration activity as well as violent crime perpetrators.
