Gang Member Sentenced for Trafficking Marijuana

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 39-year-old Edinburg man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of trafficking 131.6 kilograms of marijuana, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Rogelio Ramos, a known member of the Vallucos street gang, pleaded guilty April 27, 2018. 

Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr.  ordered Ramos to serve 87 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by four years of supervised release.

On March 9, 2018, authorities engaged in a vehicle pursuit after watching several individuals loading large bundles of marijuana into a Ford Taurus near the U.S. and Mexico border around Blue Town. The vehicle stopped and authorities watched Ramos run into a sugar cane field to hide. Agents found 12 bundles of marijuana in the backseat and trunk of the Taurus, totaling 131.6 kilograms.  

Ramos admitted he was intending to distribute the marijuana within the United States. 

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

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Holly D’Andrea prosecuted the case.