Nampa woman arrested in Michigan on Idaho drug charge

After more than a year on the lam, Veronica Cantu, 26, was arrested Nov. 24 in Detroit.

Cantu is accused of one count of distribution of methamphetamine stemming from a transaction that took place in Idaho on March 4, 2014.

Cantu was indicted in November 2014 as part of an investigation focused on the Norteño, or Northside, gang that operates in Nampa and other communities in the Treasure Valley. A total of 14 people were indicted on drug and weapons charges.

Cantu appeared in U.S. District Court in Detroit on Nov. 25 and was ordered to appear in federal court in Boise on Thursday. She was released from custody on her own recognizance but was ordered to wear a GPS tracking bracelet.

Co-defendant Richard Lobato, 51, also from Nampa, was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison after pleading guilty to meth distribution.

Nine other defendants pleaded guilty and have been sentenced. All but one were sent to prison. The other one was placed on probation.

Two other defendants, Jose E. Olvera Jr., 51, from Nampa and Isaac Bright, 21, from Caldwell, are scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 20.

Olvera pleaded guilty last month to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and unlawful possession of firearms. Three other charges were dismissed in exchange for his guilty plea. He faces five to 40 years in prison on the drug charge and up to 10 years on the weapons charge.

Last month at trial, Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge found Bright guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 11:05 AM with the headline "Nampa woman arrested in Michigan on Idaho drug charge."