Laredo woman sentenced for role in smuggling cocaine

LAREDO, Texas – A 40-year-old Laredoan has been ordered to prison after admitting she imported a large amount of cocaine via the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Yuriria Verastegui pleaded guilty Nov. 5, 2019.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered her to serve a 70-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court noted that even though Verastegui’s husband is serving a federal prison sentence himself for similar conduct, she still chose to do this on two more occasions, knowing the possible consequences.

Verastegui attempted to enter the United States July 24, 2019, driving a Ford SUV. Authorities noticed tampering with its interior quarter panels, lifted a tray to access them and found 16 bundles of cocaine.

The drugs weighed a total of approximately 16 kilograms with a value of $512,000.

Verastegui pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, admitting she knew there were narcotics in her vehicle and expected to be paid $9,600 for transporting them.   

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

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony J. Evans is prosecuting the cases.