Trafficking Nearly 10 Kilos Of Meth Lands Man Hefty Prison Sentence
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A U.S. citizen who was living in Matamoros has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Francisco Moreno, 22, pleaded guilty Oct. 3, 2016.
Today, United States District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos handed Moreno a 78-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On July 20, 2016, Moreno drove a motor vehicle to the Sarita checkpoint. During primary inspection, a service K9 alerted to the presence of contraband coming from the vehicle. After the vehicle was examined, agents discovered and removed 10 vacuum-sealed bundles of methamphetamine from the door panels. Laboratory analysis determined the methamphetamine weighed 9.9 kilograms and had a purity level of 96%.
In federal custody since his arrest, Moreno will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.
