Resident Alien Gets 10 Years in Meth Case

LAREDO, Texas – Hermelinda Andrade, 46, a resident alien from Garland, Texas, has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen sentenced Andrade to 120 months imprisonment to be followed by a five-year-term of supervised release. She is expected to be deported following completion of her prison term.

On June 23, 2011, Andrade attempted to enter the United States from the Republic of Mexico via the Gateway to Americas Bridge in Laredo, at which time Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found a package strapped to her stomach. That package was found to contain approximately a pound and a half of methamphetamine. She pleaded guilty to the charge on Sept. 26, 2011.

Andrade has been in custody since her arrest where she will remain pending transfer to a Bureau of Prison facility to be determined in the near future.

The case was investigated by CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roberto R. Ramirez.