McALLEN, TEXAS – The border just got a little less porous. Two men are headed to federal prison after a brazen attempt to flood the streets with cocaine, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced today. The case, a testament to the relentless flow of narcotics across the southern border, culminated in hefty sentences for both defendants.
Argelio Chavero, 51, of Alton, Texas, received a staggering 188-month sentence – that’s 15 years and 8 months – after pleading guilty April 24, 2023, to importing 12 kilograms of cocaine from Mexico. His accomplice, Agustin Romero Jr., 41, a U.S. citizen residing in Mexico, was slapped with 57 months in prison after his guilty plea on December 19, 2022. Both men will also face years of supervised release after they serve their time: five years for Chavero and three for Romero.
The bust originated on April 24, 2021, when Romero attempted to drive into the United States through the Hidalgo Port of Entry. A routine x-ray inspection of his vehicle quickly revealed something wasn’t right with the gas tank. A deeper dive uncovered 33 packages containing a combined 12 kilograms of cocaine and, oddly enough, four kilograms of marijuana, all cleverly concealed within the tank. Chavero, the mastermind, had recruited Romero and supplied the vehicle at the Mexican side of the port.
Initially, Chavero played dumb, denying any knowledge of Romero or the rigged vehicle. But federal investigators weren’t buying it. They presented Chavero with photographic evidence of him driving the same vehicle with Romero riding shotgun, effectively blowing his cover. The court took note of Chavero’s long rap sheet, including a prior attempt to smuggle 14 kilograms of marijuana hidden in the spare tires and gas tank of a vehicle through the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint. Adding insult to injury, the judge pointed out that crime seems to run in the Chavero family; his brother is already serving a federal sentence for importing methamphetamine in 2021.
“This isn’t just about 12 kilograms of cocaine,” Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane reportedly stated during sentencing. “This is about a life steeped in criminal activity.” The court clearly sent a message that such behavior won’t be tolerated. Both Chavero and Romero remain in custody awaiting transfer to a yet-to-be-determined U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia handling the prosecution. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against drug trafficking and the dedication of law enforcement to securing the border and keeping our communities safe. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and bring you the unvarnished truth about crime in America.
Related Federal Cases
- Arkansas Conspirator Guilty of Crack Cocaine Distribution · Iowa
- 28 Kilos & Counting: Texas Duo Busted with Cocaine · North Carolina
- Eladio Arguelles Indicted for Cocaine Distribution · Oklahoma
- Smith County Deputy Kimbrick Bernard Jones Sentenced for Meth & Cocaine Distribution · Texas
- Longview Drug Kingpin Antonio Gonzales Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
