In July 2015, law enforcement officers learned that a man from Colorado Springs drove to Glendale, Arizona, to pick up methamphetamine. The illegal drug was hidden in the sides of a fish cooler.

According to officials, the man made this trip several times a month, staying in a hotel room that was already paid for and picking up a cooler. Surveillance was conducted, and law enforcement confirmed that the man left his home in Colorado Springs, drove to Glendale and then returned home.

The man was arrested on a traffic stop that was conducted in Colorado Springs. A pat down search led to the discovery of methamphetamine in plastic baggies in the man's front pockets. After a sniff search by a Colorado Springs Police Department K-9, the officers got a search warrant. The cooler was found in the bed of the truck and it contained shrimp and fish that were packed in ice. When the liner of the cooler was removed, 10 packages of methamphetamine were found.

The man's home was also searched, and officers found a revolver and shotgun, both of which were stolen. There was also methamphetamine, amphetamine and paraphernalia. The man was charged with possession of under 10 pounds of pure methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a federal grand jury in March 2016. The man would go on to plead guilty to the drug and gun crimes in July 2016.

On Oct. 24, the man was sentences to federal prison for 20 years. He will also need to serve five years on supervised release.

When facing federal crimes, you need an experienced, knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. Federal crimes generally carry sentences that are more severe than crimes charged at the state level. A lawyer can help you develop a solid defense strategy.

Source: fox21news.com, "Colorado Springs dealer who distributed 100% pure meth hidden in fish coolers sentenced," Alexa Mae Asperin, Oct. 24, 2016