A former Benson Polytechnic High School teacher -- who

-- was sentenced Wednesday to 5½ years in prison after she was caught with a kilo of cocaine earlier this year.

Zuleyma Figueroa, known as “Ms. Fig” by students, was a beloved Spanish teacher at the Northeast Portland high school. But her life has spiraled downward

Portland police seized nearly an ounce of meth, about $10,000 in cash, scales and packaging materials from the Southeast Lincoln Street home she shared with a friend, Concepcion Mendez-Hernandez in November 2009.

Figueroa, 38, lost her teaching license as a result of her conviction in that case.

as a front for selling drugs.

The two women owned the shop, which was at

Investigators found a kilo of cocaine, worth close to $100,000 on the street, in a garbage can at the business.

Figueroa fought charges of delivery and possession of cocaine during a trial in April in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Judge Stephen Bushong found her guilty.

Measure 57 called for a nearly five-year prison, but because of her previous conviction, Oregon sentencing guidelines called for a 5½-year prison term.

Figueroa’s friend and co-defendant, Mendez-Hernandez, is wanted. Her attorney said she’s in Mexico.

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