A California man has been convicted in Alabama on federal drug trafficking charges.

Esteban Roberto Ortiz, 43, was found guilty after three days of testimony before U.S. District Court Judge Sharon L. Blackburn.

Ortiz was convicted on the sole count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana. The jury also returned a special verdict that the offense involved more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, for which Ortiz will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, according to a joint announcement Friday by Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James.

Evidence at trial showed that Ortiz conspired with others to transport about 11 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 pounds of marijuana from California to Alabama.

Ortiz coordinated couriers to travel to Alabama in a vehicle containing an after-market hidden compartment where the methamphetamine and marijuana were stored.

Agents from DEA Oklahoma City and DEA Birmingham coordinated a controlled delivery of this car to Alabaster to meet Ortiz, where he was taken into custody.

Ahead of the vehicle’s arrival, evidence showed, Ortiz was planning for the distribution of these drugs to a network of drug associates in Alabama.

“This conviction sends a message to those who traffic illegal drugs across state lines to distribute in our communities,” Escalona said. “I commend the exemplary work of our law enforcement partners in identifying, infiltrating, and dismantling this multi-jurisdiction drug trafficking operation.”

The DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Garnett and Ryan Rummage are prosecuting.

A sentencing date has not been announced. The maximum penalty for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana is life in prison.

“Methamphetamine is a destructive poison that can cause terrible harm to the quality of life in any community,” Thorne-James said. “The successful conviction of Esteban Roberto Ortiz should put on notice those who engage in trafficking meth.”