Two Face Life for Drug Trafficking in Local Parking Lot
McAllen, Texas – Two Mission men have pleaded guilty for their roles in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
In October 2022, Eddie Perez, 29, was supposed to deliver narcotics to another individual on behalf of his friend Juan Alberto Mendez Jr., 28.
Authorities were conducting surveillance at a Best Buy parking lot in McAllen They saw vehicles approach, after which Perez removed bags containing bricks of cocaine from the trunk of his vehicle.
Mendez was parked in another vehicle observing the transaction.
Law enforcement approached and arrested Perez and Mendez immediately. They seized a total of 20 kilograms of cocaine.
Both admitted to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 20 kilograms of cocaine.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo accepted the pleas and set sentencing for July 24. At that time, both face a minimum of 1o years and up to life in prison as well as a possible $10 million maximum fine.
Mendez was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing and Perez has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.
