Marijuana and Cocaine Smuggler Ordered To Prison

LAREDO, Texas – A 34-year-old man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for smuggling marijuana and cocaine and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Andy Gomez, a legal permanent resident from Cuba who resided in Laredo, pleaded guilty Oct. 6, 2016.

Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña handed Gomez a total sentence of 120 months in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release. At the hearing, Judge Saldaña noted that the defendant caused this situation by his own actions.  

On July 18, 2016, agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted surveillance on a home in North Laredo and witnessed Gomez and another individual leave the residence in two separate vehicles. They were later stopped, at which time authorities discovered more than 500 pounds of marijuana in the two vehicles. Gomez was also in possession of .380 Smith and Wesson pistol.

The investigation led agents to search a storage unit where they located more than 10 pounds of cocaine, more than 100 pounds of marijuana, a money counting machine and a credit card embosser machine.

Previously released on bond, Gomez was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

HSI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher S. Coker prosecuted the case.