Pedro Alvarado-Montiel, Narcotics Trafficking, Texas 2024

Del Rio, Texas – In a major blow to the Mexican Mafia-affiliated Sureños gang, a Del Rio federal court has sentenced Pedro Alvarado-Montiel, 42, aka ‘Pelon,’ to 262 months in prison for conspiracy to import methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Alvarado-Montiel was stopped by a Bastrop County Sheriff’s deputy on September 20, 2023, for a traffic violation. Following a series of questions, the deputy searched the vehicle and discovered two clear, gallon-sized bags and one sandwich bag containing a black, sticky, tar-like substance. The substance was sent to a Drug Enforcement Administration lab, where it was determined to be approximately two kilograms of heroin.

Later that day, DEA agents executed a search warrant on Alvarado-Montiel’s residence in Dale, where they discovered a large amount of black tar-like substance spread out across the center island in the kitchen and stuck to the countertop along with plastic wrappings. Agents also found two 9mm handguns, multiple magazines, ammunition and wire transfer receipts. In another DEA lab test, the substance found in the home was determined to be approximately 2.1 kgs of heroin.

Alvarado-Montiel was charged in a five-count indictment on December 6, 2023. He was charged with conspiracy to import methamphetamine, importation of methamphetamine, conspiracy to import heroin, importation of heroin and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. On May 20, 2024, Alvarado-Montiel pleaded to one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine.

Co-defendant Horlando Depaz-Cruz, Jr. who was arrested on May 16, 2021, after being caught driving through the Del Rio Port of Entry with packages of methamphetamine and heroin inside a car battery, pleaded guilty to the same charge on July 31, 2023. He was sentenced on February 5, 2025, to 120 months in federal prison and a $2,000 fine.

The DEA and ICE Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the government to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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