Brownsville Man Gets 70 Months for Liquid Meth Scheme

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Steve Turrubiates, 20, of Brownsville, is headed to federal prison after pleading guilty to a massive methamphetamine smuggling operation. The young man was sentenced today to 70 months behind bars for possessing with the intent to distribute over 44 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine – a disturbing trend increasingly seen at the border.

Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez announced the sentencing, the culmination of an investigation that began on October 25, 2016, at a United States Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita. Agents weren’t fooled by Turrubiates’ attempt to appear legitimate. A canine unit immediately alerted to the presence of narcotics emanating from his vehicle.

What followed was a methodical dismantling of Turrubiates’ crude concealment effort. Agents sent him to secondary inspection, where a closer look revealed telltale tool marks around the gas tank and its mounting bolts. Something wasn’t right. A fiber optic scope confirmed their suspicions: large plastic bags were hidden inside the fuel tank.

The agents removed the tank, revealing a shocking stash – eight bags containing more than 44 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine. It’s a significant amount of the drug, and speaks to the scale of the operation Turrubiates was involved in. This wasn’t a small-time hustle; this was serious trafficking.

Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Jack handed down the 70-month sentence, followed by five years of supervised release. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, with crucial assistance from the dedicated agents of the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. skillfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a substantial prison term.

This case is another stark reminder of the relentless flow of illegal drugs across our southern border. While this particular smuggler is off the streets, the fight to stem the tide of narcotics continues. The Grimy Times will continue to track these cases and expose the criminal networks that profit from misery and addiction.

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