Mexican man admits to importing $73K worth of meth to US

LAREDO, Texas – A 30-year-old citizen of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to import 10.5 kilograms of meth into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

On Dec. 10, 2019, J. Guadalupe Martinez-Montelongo drove an SUV to the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo. There, a K-9 alerted to the possible presence of narcotics within the vehicle’s doors. Following a subsequent X-ray examination, authorities located 21 bundles stuffed behind the door panels which tested positive for meth.

The drugs weighed approximately 23 pounds and have a street value of over $73,000.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo will impose sentencing June 17 at 10 a.m. At that time, Martinez-Montelongo faces up to life in federal prison. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.