McALLEN, Texas – Brenda Bazaldua-Mariscal, a 41-year-old woman from Mission, has been sentenced to federal prison for importing a staggering 18 kilos of cocaine from Mexico.
The guilty plea by Bazaldua-Mariscal was entered on May 22, 2023. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane imposed a sentence of 120 months behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release. The judge’s decision referenced her prior 60-month sentence.
In August 2021, Bazaldua-Mariscal attempted to cross the border driving a Lincoln MKX. Her travel itinerary was flagged for inconsistencies, leading to a secondary inspection where a K-9 unit detected the odor of narcotics. Authorities found 16 bundles of cocaine totaling 18 kilograms concealed in a non-factory compartment in the vehicle’s front bumper, with an estimated street value of $234,000.
Investigations revealed text messages indicating Bazaldua-Mariscal was fully aware she was importing illegal drugs. She will remain in custody until transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility as soon as possible.
The investigation was carried out by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from Customs and Border Protection, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.
RELATED: Bazaldua-Mariscal Gets 10 Years
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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