South Texas Woman Sentenced for Trafficking Over $1M in Crystal Meth and Black Tar Heroin

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A brazen attempt to traffic over $1.3 million worth of crystal meth and black tar heroin has landed a 28-year-old Mission woman behind bars. Cristina Inez Marquez pleaded guilty on April 28, 2022, to possession with the intent to distribute more than 31 kilograms of meth.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Marquez to serve 190 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. The sentence comes after authorities discovered the massive haul on December 29, 2021, during a traffic stop.

According to court documents, Marquez was driving a gray Ford Explorer northbound on Highway 281 near Alice when law enforcement conducted a traffic stop. A subsequent inspection revealed that the fuel tank had been tampered with and removed, containing 12 concealed bundles of what appeared to be crystal meth and black tar heroin.

Analysis later confirmed the substances in the bundles were in fact crystal meth at 95% purity with a net weight of 31.41 kilograms and black tar heroin with a net weight of 5.95 kilograms. The estimated street value of the seized drugs exceeds $1.3 million.

Marquez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck prosecuting the case.

The investigation into Marquez’s activities has revealed a significant blow to the illicit drug trade in the region. The sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in such activities.

The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat the growing threat of opioid trafficking in the United States.

Defendant: Cristina Inez Marquez

Criminal Charges: Possession with the intent to distribute more than 31 kilograms of meth

City and State: Corpus Christi, Texas

Date of Crime: December 29, 2021

Sentence: 190 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release

Dollar Amount: The estimated street value of the seized drugs exceeds $1.3 million

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