Jose Luis Escareno, Importing Meth and Fentanyl, Texas 2024

LAREDO, Texas – A 42-year-old man residing in Pearland has pleaded guilty to importing over 20 kilograms of meth and 900 grams of fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. The defendant, Jose Luis Escareno, faces serious consequences for his actions.

On June 24, 2023, Jose Luis Escareno, attempted to enter the United States through the Juarez-Lincoln Port of Entry in Laredo. At that time, he was driving a pickup truck and pulling a trailer. During inspection, he claimed ownership of everything inside the vehicle and trailer.

Law enforcement discovered narcotics hidden inside a mini split air conditioning unit located in the trailer and within a cooler in the truck. They were later determined to be 21.40 kilograms of meth and 8,500 pills of fentanyl weighing approximately 931 grams.

As part of his plea, Escareno claimed the air conditioning unit belonged to a friend who was going to pay him $150 to transport it to Houston. He further admitted he purchased and packed the coolers with contents that belonged to him.

The defendant has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing. U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana will impose a sentence at a later date. Escareno faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.

The consequences of Escareno’s actions are severe. The importation of meth and fentanyl has devastating effects on communities across the country. The Grimy Times will continue to provide updates on this case as more information becomes available.

The hashtag OnePillCanKill serves as a reminder of the dangers of fentanyl. This potent synthetic opioid has claimed countless lives, and the Grimy Times urges everyone to be aware of the risks associated with it.