Brownsville man sentenced for trying to smuggle cocaine past Checkpoint

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 60-year-old Brownsville resident has been ordered to federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute 11.78 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Martin Munoz pleaded guilty Sept. 15, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered him to serve a 70-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. 

On March 13, 2020, Munoz arrived at the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located in Sarita driving a pickup truck.  

At inspection, law enforcement opened the driver side door and immediately noticed a large duffel bag laying on the front passenger seat. They ultimately found 10 bundles wrapped in brown tape consistent with narcotics located inside the bag. 

They contained a white powdery substance which later field tested positive for the properties of cocaine with a total combined weight of 11.78 kilograms.

Munoz has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. 

Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado prosecuted the case.