South Texas Woman Convicted For Distributing Methamphetamine
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Irma Matamoros-Santillan, a 30-year-old woman from Harlingen has been ordered to prison following her conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Special Agent-in-Charge of DEA’s Houston Division, Joseph M. Arabit and U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Matamoros-Santillan pled guilty October 19, 2016.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos sentenced Matamoros-Santillan to 120 months imprisonment, to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On Aug. 10, 2016, a Greyhound bus entered the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint outside of Falfurrias for primary inspection. At that time, authorities identified Lisa Rustin, 18, of Ingleside, and discovered approximately 1.3 kilograms of marijuana concealed in her bags.
The follow up investigation revealed Matamoros-Santillan was seated a few rows behind her where authorities also discovered 480 grams of suspected methamphetamine in an unclaimed bag. It was determined the women were traveling together and responsible for the narcotics. Laboratory analysis determined the methamphetamine had a purity of 94 percent, yielding 452 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Matamoros-Santillan will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Rustin also pled guilty and will be sentenced on a later date. She remains in custody.
The DEA and the United States Border Patrol conducted this investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt prosecuted the case.
