A 41-year-old woman from Mission, Texas, has been sentenced for importing cocaine from Mexico.
Brenda Bazaldua-Mariscal, 41, pleaded guilty to the crime on May 22, 2023. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Bazaldua-Mariscal to serve 120 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
The court heard additional evidence about the organizational structure of the drug trafficking organization during the sentencing hearing. Judge Crane noted a previous 60-month sentence Bazaldua-Mariscal received.
According to investigators, Bazaldua-Mariscal approached the Pharr Port of Entry driving a Lincoln MKX on August 12, 2021. Authorities noted inconsistencies in her travel itinerary and referred her to secondary inspection.
At secondary inspection, a K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics in the front of the vehicle. Authorities then discovered the front bumper was lined with a non-factory compartment containing 16 bundles of cocaine with a total weight of 18 kilograms and an estimated street value of $234,000.
Further investigation revealed text messages indicating Bazaldua-Mariscal was aware she was importing narcotics. She will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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