Mexican national headed to federal prison for possessing meth
LAREDO, Texas - A 31-year-old resident of Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, has been ordered to prison following his conviction for conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Rolando Garcia-Fuentes pleaded guilty March 2, 2018.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña ordered Garcia-Fuentes to serve 87 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following completion of his sentence.
On Dec. 9, 2017, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a northbound white Ford Freestar van Garcia-Fuentes was driving on Interstate-35 in La Salle County. At that time, he gave an implausible story regarding his travel.
A search of the vehicle revealed tampering and tool marks on the van’s stereo compartment and dashboard. Garcia-Fuentes agreed to return to the Border Patrol checkpoint where a canine gave a positive alert for the presence of narcotics and/or concealed humans. Authorities removed the stereo compartment and discovered signs of tampering with the vehicle’s air conditioning unit. They discovered a total of 16 bundles that tested positive for methamphetamine and had a net weight of nearly eight kilograms.
Garcia-Fuentes admitted he was getting paid to transport narcotics to the Dallas area and acknowledged he had done so on a previous occasion and was paid approximately $8,000.
Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Bukiewicz prosecuted the case.
