A former marine stationed in San Diego has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for drug smuggling. He reportedly smuggled fentanyl and other illicit drugs from Mexico into the United States for several years.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, former marine Roberto Salazar II led a secret life as he was not only an active-duty member of the U.S. Marine Corps but also a young leader of a drug-trafficking organization.

He pleaded guilty last October to two felony counts, with U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino sentencing him to 12 years in prison on Friday.

He pleaded guilty to importing fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. He was facing life imprisonment before his sentencing.

In a news conference on Friday, U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said: "He was supposed to be protecting and defending our country, but instead he was bringing tremendous harm to Americans by importing fentanyl and other deadly, dangerous drugs into the United States."

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Drug Trafficking U.S. Marine Was Involved in Drug Smuggling Before Joining the Marine Corps

Prosecutors said Roberto Salazar II had been smuggling drugs across the border even before joining the Marine Corps. His narco activities continued well into his service as he recruited couriers to smuggle illicit drugs across the border while stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

The Associated Press reported that he made dozens of smuggling trips with his couriers, even as a marine. He usually obtained cars to be driven to Mexico and then loaded the engine compartments with drugs.

His hired couriers would then drive these loaded cars across the border and into the United States. According to reports, Salazar also recruited former marines as couriers for his operations and some classmates at Southwestern College in Chula Vista.

U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman noted that he "betrayed his solemn oath by recruiting other Marines to do the same." His schemes reportedly began in 2015, before he even became a Marine. His operations continued until he was caught last year.

Narco Marine Wanted to be Glorified in 'Narcocorrido' Ballad

Even though he was serving as an active-duty Marine, Roberto Salazar II even tried to get a Mexican songwriter to write a "narcocorrido," or a drug ballad about his life as a drug trafficker.

According to NBC-7 San Diego, before he was arrested and authorities discovered his double life, Salazar contacted a Mexican songwriter to commission a drug ballad about his life.

Salazar allegedly told the musician, "I wanted to study and became a soldier, but I liked the fast life better."

Salazar was exposed to drug smuggling from a young age as he began his smuggling activities at 16. He reportedly started smuggling humans and then heroin. He was caught smuggling fentanyl with two other former marines in January last year. 

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Ex-Miramar Marine Sentenced to 12 Years for Drug Trafficking - From CBS 8 San Diego