Hebbronville Man Sentenced for Smuggling Drugs

LAREDO, Texas – A 47-year-old resident of Hebbronville has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 kilograms of marijuana, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Eden Alan Martinez pleaded guilty Jan. 23, 2017.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia-Marmolejo ordered sentenced Eden Martinez to 40 months to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.

On Nov. 7, 2016, Eden Martinez took part in a conspiracy to smuggle marijuana by attempting to circumvent the Highway 16 Border Patrol Checkpoint near Hebbronville. He was driving a 2008 blue Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck in which authorities found 111.5 kilograms of marijuana in the engine compartment, front bumper and rear quarter panels. 

Eden Martinez has been in custody since his arrest on Nov. 7, 2016, where he will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Flores Jr. prosecuted the case.