Hiding meth in shoes lands smuggler in prison

McALLEN, Texas – A 30-year-old Edinburg resident has been sentenced following his conviction of importing meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Oscar Salazar pleaded guilty Aug. 4, 2022.

U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Salazar to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence of Salazar’s prior criminal history including a felony conviction for trafficking marijuana through a Border Patrol checkpoint.

On Dec. 11, 2020, Salazar drove to the Hidalgo Port of Entry attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. Law enforcement conducted a search of his vehicle and found multiple packages of meth hidden within the center console, glove compartment and a pair of shoes within his vehicle.

The meth weighed approximately three pounds with an estimated street value of $5,000.

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

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.