LAREDO, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, two men have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a massive marijuana conspiracy.
51-year-old Arturo Hawkins and 26-year-old Alejandro Garcia-Ortega pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana back in December 2012.
According to court documents, Hawkins, of Laredo, and Garcia-Ortega, of Mexico, were involved in a plot to smuggle marijuana across the border. The operation was foiled on September 28, 2012, when Border Patrol agents patrolling the ranchland near Mines Road in Laredo attempted to pull over a Ford utility truck that was driving in tandem with a black Ford F-150.
As agents approached the utility truck on foot, the driver, later identified as Garcia-Ortega, drove into the brush on the side of the road and abandoned the moving truck. He then ran on foot. Border Patrol agents recovered 41 bundles of marijuana weighing 364.2 kilograms that had been covered with coffee from an aftermarket compartment in the flatbed of the truck.
The agents also found a cellular telephone which held photographs of Garcia-Ortega and other evidence that led to his identification and subsequent arrest. That same day, Border Patrol agents stopped the Ford F-150 that had been driving in tandem with the truck carrying the marijuana. The driver was identified as Hawkins.
According to the plea agreement, telephone records showed Hawkins made a number of telephone calls at the time of the immigration stop on the white utility truck. Agents also discovered a number of maps in Hawkins’ possession of various ranches and trails through the ranches. Hawkins also admitted to acting as a scout for the truck loaded with marijuana.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña sentenced Hawkins to 120 months imprisonment to be followed by an eight-year term of supervised release. Garcia-Ortega received a sentence of 63 months imprisonment to be followed by a four-year term of supervised release. Both men will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth R. Rabe prosecuted the case.
As we continue to delve into the world of organized crime, it’s clear that those involved will face severe consequences. Stay tuned for more updates on this and other cases.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Crime & Punishment
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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