During an inspection of the vehicle, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered nine packages hidden throughout the car.
Texas – A U.S. citizen residing in Mexico was sentenced Thursday to 51 months in prison for conspiracy to import controlled substances.
According to court documents, Eduardo Aletse Herrera, 20, of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, attempted to enter the U.S. at the Ysleta port of entry on July 28, 2022.
During an inspection of the vehicle, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered nine packages hidden throughout the car.
Five of the packages tested positive for 5.84 kilograms of cocaine, while the remaining four packages tested positive for 4.46 kilograms of fentanyl.
Herrera pleaded guilty to one count in the eight-count indictment on Nov. 30, 2022.
“The defendant in this case attempted to smuggle a large quantity of lethal narcotics into our country,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas.
“We can thank our partner agents at the border for detecting the drugs and thwarting Herrera’s efforts.”
“This sentencing sends a warning to drug traffickers that HSI special agents, along with our law enforcement and judicial partners, will work tirelessly to bring to justice those who supply fentanyl and other deadly drugs to our communities, contributing to an already devastating national opioid epidemic. ” said Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola of the El Paso Homeland Security Investigations Division.