BROWNSVILLE, Texas – In a stunning verdict, former Mexican judicial officer Gilberto Almaraz-Muniz, 55, was found guilty by a federal jury on one count of conspiracy and three counts of possession with intent to distribute various controlled substances. The charges stem from a drug ring that transported loads of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl across the border.
After a five-day trial, the jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning a guilty verdict against Almaraz-Muniz, who was residing in Brownsville at the time. His co-conspirators included Pedro Venegas Jr., 24, and Jetzrael Saldana, 25, both of Brownsville.
The case reached its climax on March 10, 2022, when Klegberg County law enforcement seized a truck loaded with 23 bundles of heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl. The 6-cylinder engine had been modified to resemble an 8-cylinder, hiding drugs within the engine’s manifold.
Further evidence revealed that Almaraz-Muniz, while a law enforcement official in Mexico, was the supplier of the drugs. He is accused of using Saldana to recruit drivers for drug runs across the immigration checkpoint to Houston and other areas. The vehicles were titled in the drivers’ names after ‘dry runs’ at the port of entry.
Two additional seizures were cited as evidence against Almaraz-Muniz, including 83 kilograms of liquid meth at the Gateway International Bridge on July 17, 2022, and a 24-kilogram seizure of black tar heroin in Robstown on Sept. 26, 2022.
U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani hailed the verdict as significant, stating, “This case removed over 100 kilograms off our streets.” Almaraz-Muniz faces life imprisonment and a possible fine of up to $10 million at his sentencing hearing set for July 17.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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