Texas Man Sentenced to More Than Ten Years in Prison for Possessing Over Thirty Kilograms of Cocaine

Gulfport, Miss. – Mario Guadalupe Pecina, 44, of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 123 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans. Pecina was also ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.

On January 11, 2018, a United States Border Patrol officer stopped Pecina for committing a traffic violation while traveling on Interstate 10 in Harrison County, Mississippi. During the stop, the officer learned that Pecina was previously arrested for smuggling cocaine in 2009. While speaking with the officer, Pecina began displaying signs of nervous behavior. Pecina consented to a search of the vehicle, and upon searching, the officer located 31 kilograms of cocaine concealed within the door and rear hatch panels of the vehicle. Pecina pled guilty on May 9, 2018.

Pecina was also revoked and sentenced to 30 months for violating the terms of the court imposed supervised release from his 2009 conviction for smuggling 9 kilograms of cocaine. The sentences will run consecutive for a total of 153 months in prison.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Border Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.