Conrado Depaz Arellano Guilty in East Texas Drug Bust

Conrado Depaz Arellano, a 48-year-old Mexican national living illegally in Carthage, Texas, was found guilty Thursday of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, following a three-day trial in the Eastern District of Texas. The conviction marks the latest blow against cross-border drug networks operating in rural East Texas.

U.S. Attorney Alan R. Jackson announced the verdict, which was delivered by a federal jury before U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Arellano was also previously convicted on Feb. 12, 2018, for being an illegal alien after deportation — a charge stemming from two prior removals in 2007 and 2012.

The case traces back to August 2, 2017, when U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped a vehicle in the Western District of Texas during a routine traffic stop. Inside, they discovered two kilograms of cocaine — a shipment en route to Arellano in Carthage. Federal agents rerouted the drugs under surveillance and delivered them as planned, catching Arellano in the act.

At the time of his arrest, Arellano was found in possession of two Mexican identification documents. Investigators quickly confirmed he had no legal right to be in the United States. Despite being deported twice before, he had slipped back across the border and resumed criminal activity almost immediately.

Arellano was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 20, 2017. Now facing up to 40 years in federal prison, his sentencing will be determined after a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office. While the maximum sentence is set by Congress, the court will weigh advisory guidelines and statutory factors before issuing a final judgment.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Border Patrol, and ICE-Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Hurst and Jim Noble prosecuted the case, underscoring the federal government’s ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking and illegal reentry in the region.