⏱ 2 min read
A 67-year-old Houston woman, Maria Lucio, has been convicted of smuggling a staggering 98.26 kilos of methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico. The crime occurred on December 16, 2025, when Lucio hired a transportation company to import the meth, hidden in 14 vinyl rolls, while she entered the country in a separate vehicle at the Del Rio Port of Entry. The motive behind the smuggling operation is not explicitly stated, but the sheer quantity of meth suggests a large-scale trafficking operation.
Lucio’s guilt was established through evidence extracted from her cell phone, which revealed a history of similar smuggling operations. The phone records also showed that Lucio kept her coconspirators informed of her travel plans while in possession of the meth-filled vinyl rolls. This is not an isolated incident, as Lucio has been involved in similar smuggling operations in the past.
The investigation was led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daisy Gonzalez and William Golden prosecuted the case, which was presided over by U.S. District Judge Ivan L. Lemelle. Lucio now faces a minimum of 10 years to life in federal prison and a fine of up to $10 million.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating transnational criminal organizations and protecting communities from violent crime. The operation underscores the determination of law enforcement agencies to disrupt and dismantle large-scale drug trafficking operations.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Drug Trafficking
- Defendant: Texas
- Location: TX
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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