Dolph Finley, Marijuana Smuggling, Texas 2012

Corpus Christi, Texas – A Louisiana man has been sentenced for his involvement in a marijuana smuggling operation in Texas. Dolph Finley, 63, of Lettsworth, La., was found guilty of two counts related to the smuggling of marijuana through the Sarita Border Patrol Checkpoint.

The federal jury returned their verdict on June 6, 2012, following a two-day trial and approximately 20 minutes of deliberation. Finley’s co-defendant, Thomas Lubecke, 34, of Denham Springs, La., pleaded guilty and testified against Finley at trial and was sentenced to six months of home confinement.

The prosecution demonstrated that Finley and Lubecke purchased large black ‘All Star’ duffel bags and other materials to transport the marijuana through the Sarita U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. Finley boarded an Americanos bus with the ‘All Star’ duffel bag full of marijuana, while Lubecke followed the bus in his rental vehicle. However, Lubecke was arrested after a canine alerted to a small bag of cocaine and some prescription medications in his rental vehicle.

Border Patrol agents testified that when they searched Lubecke’s car, they found three brand-new black duffel bags, black plastic, dryer sheets, high-temperature grease, Febreze, household cleaners, and scrub pads, which are all items ordinarily used to package large amounts of marijuana. However, they found no large quantities of narcotics. One agent observed an identical ‘All Star’ bag on the bus that had just come through the checkpoint. Other agents discovered that Finley had been to the bus station in Brownsville and communicating with another person via text message.

Agents were notified and subsequently able to stop the bus. Finley was found to be in possession of the bag which contained 16.8 kilograms of marijuana. Once Finley was apprehended, Lubecke confessed to the scheme and agreed to cooperate with authorities.

On Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos sentenced Finley to a total of 38 months in federal prison to be followed by a three-year-term of supervised release. Finley has been in custody since his arrest and will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey D. Preston.

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