A Mexican man has been ordered to prison for importing cocaine into the United States, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
A 48-year-old resident of Mexico, Sergio Alejandro Valero Ibarra, was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine.
Ibarra pleaded guilty to the charges on August 29, 2013, and was sentenced to a total of 78 months in federal prison by Senior U.S. District Judge George Kazen.
The sentence was handed down after additional evidence was presented, including Ibarra’s prior crossings into the U.S. He is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.
Ibarra was detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers on June 21, 2013, as he attempted to enter the United States at the Gateway to Americas Bridge II in Laredo.
During the secondary inspection, 13.82 kilograms of cocaine were discovered bundled inside the fuel tank of his vehicle.
Ibarra admitted to importing and trafficking the drugs for individuals in Mexico, stating he was driving the drug-laden vehicle for delivery in Houston and had previously made three other drug deliveries in the city.
The case was investigated by CBP and Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sanjeev Bhasker prosecuting the case.
Ibarra will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Related Federal Cases
- Guillermo Rodriguez-Sanchez, Importing Cocaine and Heroin, TX, 2016 · New Mexico
- Mario Urbina Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Conspiracy, United States, 2023 · New York
- Dhamari Jordan, Cocaine and Firearms Trafficking, Malden MA, 2023 · New York
- Shannell Gosine Admits Coast-to-Coast Cocaine Trafficking, Buffalo … · Ohio
- Cameron Nesbitt, Transporting 90 Pounds of Methamphetamine, Texas, … · California
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking