A 42-year-old Laredo man has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking operation.
Ruben Judas Ruiz-Vazquez, a legal permanent resident from Mexico, was ordered to prison for conspiracy/importation/possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.
Ruiz-Vazquez pleaded guilty to the charges on October 21, 2014, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo. He is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.
On July 28, 2014, Ruiz-Vazquez attempted to enter the United States from Mexico by crossing the Lincoln Juarez International Bridge (POE #2) in Laredo.
He was driving a 2007 Jeep Compass vehicle, which a drug canine alerted to contain contraband. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents conducted an x-ray examination of the vehicle and discovered 18 bundles of cocaine weighing 18.24 kilograms within the vehicle’s undercarriage.
Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents were notified for further investigation, and Ruiz-Vazquez initially denied knowledge of the drugs, claiming he was traveling in a work vehicle. Agents contacted his employer in Wisconsin, who indicated he did not have permission to travel into the United States for work.
Ruiz-Vazquez later wrote a letter to his employers from jail, apologizing for his conduct. The charges are the result of an investigation by HSI and CBP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sanjeev Bhasker is prosecuting the case.
Related Federal Cases
- Cocaine Cash & Highway Stops: WI Man Busted in TX · Wisconsin
- NC Man Sentenced for 1,064 lbs. Marijuana Trafficking in Texas Stop · Wisconsin
- ND Man Sentenced in $4.7M Texas Romance Scam · Wisconsin
- Live Nation Faces Trial Over Monopoly Practices · Washington
- Thomas C. Balsiger Convicted in $100M Coupon Fraud Scheme · Wisconsin
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News