Billings Man Sentenced to More Than 14 Years in Federal Meth Case

A Billings man has been sentenced to more than 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana says Joshua Jacob Best, 41, was sentenced on October 1 to 14 years and two months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters also imposed a $7,500 fine.

Best pleaded guilty in May 2026 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Federal Investigation Connected Drug Ring to Billings

According to court documents outlined by federal prosecutors, the case involved a drug trafficking ring operating out of Mexico with activity in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and California. The government alleged the organization had operators in Billings.

Billings police learned in June 2023 from an informant that Raymond Best, Joshua Best’s brother, was bringing large amounts of methamphetamine and other drugs into Billings. Investigators later determined Joshua Best was helping move drugs and cash between Billings and suppliers connected to the operation.

Undercover DEA Operation Included $67,000 Cash Drop

In October 2023, prosecutors said Best arranged to deliver $67,000 to a co-conspirator who was actually an undercover DEA agent. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office release, the cash was dropped off in a Walmart parking lot and was intended to be transported to a supplier in the Los Angeles area.

Authorities said Best arrived in a black Chevy Camaro and completed the cash drop.

Iowa Traffic Stop Found 57 Pounds of Meth

Investigators also learned in January 2024 that Best had rented a vehicle and arranged for a courier to drive it from Des Moines, Iowa, to Billings. Law enforcement stopped the vehicle after it left Des Moines.

Inside, officers found 57 pounds of methamphetamine, about one kilogram of cocaine, and roughly two pounds of marijuana, prosecutors said. Best was identified as the person expected to pick up the drugs once they reached Billings.

Monad Road Crash Led to More Meth Evidence

Two months later, prosecutors said Best crashed a black Camaro on Monad Road and ran from the scene. Officers later searched the vehicle with a warrant and found about a pound of methamphetamine, along with documents belonging to Best.

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Billings Man Captured in Mexico After Fleeing Case

Best fled to Mexico after the investigation, according to federal prosecutors. The DEA and U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican authorities to locate him and bring him back to the United States to face prosecution.

“DEA and its partners worked relentlessly to ensure our region now has one less drug trafficker putting poison into our communities,” DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Mark Putnam said in a statement.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana prosecuted the case. The Billings Police Department, DEA, and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force investigated it.