UPDATE - February 2, 2026: 

A man convicted of drug trafficking in September of last year has been sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Efrain Salazar-Gurrola will be eligible for parole after 10 years, according to a release from the Washoe County District Attorney's Office.

He was found guilty by a jury of trafficking in a controlled substance on September 4 of 2025.

During sentencing, the prosecution argued for a penalty of 10 years to life in prison, saying Salazar-Gurrola had ties to organized Mexican drug cartels and presented an extreme danger to the community.

UPDATE - September 16, 2025: 

Two major drug cases in Washoe County have resulted in a sentencing and a conviction, according to District Attorney Chris Hicks.

Kengji Battle was sentenced to 10 to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to trafficking a controlled substance.

Battle was arrested last September following an investigation by Reno Police detectives, who learned he was trafficking fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

On September 23, 2024, a Washoe County Sheriff’s deputy stopped Battle for speeding and called for assistance from the Northern Nevada Interdiction Task Force, which included a K9 unit. After the dog alerted to narcotics, a search of the car revealed 3 pounds of methamphetamine, a quarter pound of cocaine, and 0.33 pounds of fentanyl.

Authorities say that amounts to approximately 6,800 doses of meth, 570 doses of cocaine and 6,040 doses of fentanyl.

Battle's sentence was handed down by the Honorable Kathleen Sigurdson.

In a separate case, a jury convicted Efrain Salazar-Gurrola of trafficking a controlled substance.

Detectives with the Regional Narcotics Unit began investigating in mid-September 2022 after receiving information that Salazar-Gurrola was selling heroin and methamphetamine.

An operation was set up to arrange the purchase of two pounds of meth.

When detectives and K9 deputies attempted to arrest Salazar-Gurrola, he tried to flee but was apprehended. A search of his car recovered over two pounds of meth on the driver’s seat, which authorities say equals more than 5,000 doses.

According to the Washoe County District Attorney's Office, Deputy District Attorney Michael Vieta-Kabell prosecuted both cases.

Sentencing for Salazar-Gurrola is scheduled for December 18.

Vieta-Kabell stated he will seek a life sentence with parole eligibility after ten years.

 

ORIGINAL STORY - September 23, 2024: 

On Monday, detectives from the Regional Narcotics Unit conducted a highway stop and ended up finding three pounds of methamphetamine.

In addition to the meth, 160 grams of fentanyl and 130 grams of crack cocaine were found in the vehicle.

Kengji Battle was arrested and charged with trafficking for the meth, cocaine and fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and possession of a controlled substance.

The Regional Narcotics Unit is comprised of detectives from the Reno and Sparks Police Departments.

On Monday, detectives from the Regional Narcotics Unit conducted a highway stop and ended up finding three pounds of methamphetamine.