132 months for smuggling 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine in truckload of cabbages

McALLEN, Texas – A 36-year-old Mexican citizen has been sentenced for his role in possessing with intent to distribute nearly $3 million in methamphetamine concealed inside cabbages, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Jose Angel Ibarra-Rojas pleaded guilty Nov. 6, 2024.

District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Ibarra-Rojas to serve 132 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard how the narcotics were packaged in a sophisticated manner. The heads of the cabbages were removed, and balls of methamphetamine were then inserted into the leaves in order to conceal them.

On June 18, 2024, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a tractor trailer in Pharr. Ibarra-Rojas was the passenger. A search of the vehicle revealed 1,154 plastic-wrapped packages containing a crystal-like substance concealed within cabbages in the cargo area.

Authorities determined the substance was methamphetamine and had a total weight of approximately 1,356 kilograms. The drugs had an estimated street value of over $2.8 million.

Ibarra-Rojas admitted he knew the trailer contained narcotics and was aware it had recently entered the United States. He claimed he expected to be paid $1,000 to arrange the transport of the trailer and its narcotics farther north into the United States. Ibarra-Rojas also said he had arranged similar transports several times in the past.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Hidalgo County Constable’s Office.

“The amount of drugs smuggled in this case is staggering, but fortunately authorities were able to seize it before it hit our streets,” said Ganjei. “ICE-HSI, CBP, and the Hidalgo County Constable’s Office should be commended for their excellent work in keeping this meth out of our community.”

Ibarra-Rojas will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell prosecuted the case.