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Cocaine Kingpin Sentenced to 15.5 Years
McALLEN, Texas – In a major blow to the cocaine trade, two men have been sentenced for their roles in a multi-kilogram narcotics smuggling operation, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Argelio Chavero, 51, of Alton, and Agustin Romero Jr., 41, a U.S. citizen residing in Mexico, pleaded guilty to importing 12 kilograms of cocaine from Mexico. Chavero faces 188 months, or 15.5 years, in prison, while Romero received 57 months.
Both men must also serve five and three years of supervised release, respectively, following their sentences. The harsh sentences come after U.S. District Judge Randy Crane took into account Chavero’s lengthy criminal history, including a prior attempt to smuggle 14 kilograms of marijuana through the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint.
Chavero’s family ties to crime also played a role in the sentencing. His brother is currently in federal custody for a 2021 conviction of importing meth. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Chavero has led a life of crime.
On April 24, 2021, Romero attempted to enter the United States from Mexico through the Hidalgo Port of Entry. An x-ray inspection of his vehicle revealed four kilograms of marijuana and 12 kilograms of meth concealed within 33 packages inside the gas tank.
Chavero recruited Romero and provided him with a vehicle at the Mexican entrance to the Port of Entry. However, authorities confronted Chavero with photographs of him driving the vehicle with Romero as passenger, leading to his eventual arrest.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case. Both Chavero and Romero will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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