Mexican man indicted for smuggling nearly $1.6M million in fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S.

LAREDO, Texas – A federal grand jury sitting in Laredo has charged a Mexican man for illegally importing approximately 30.26 kilograms of narcotics, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

On Feb. 11, authorities apprehended Jose Lopez-Sanchez at the Lincoln Juarez Bridge port of entry in Laredo attempting to travel into the United States, according to the charges. He had allegedly given an inconsistent statement at primary inspection and sent to secondary.

A K-9 allegedly alerted to the presence of narcotics. An X-ray scan also revealed anomalies behind the vehicles firewall and rear passenger seats, according to the charges.

The charges allege that upon physical examination, law enforcement discovered a total of 30 bundles of meth with an approximate weight of 17.78 kilograms. They also allegedly found one bundle of heroin and eight bundles of fentanyl weighing 1.2 and 11.28 kilograms, respectively.

The drugs have an estimated combined street value of approximately $1,585,855.

If convicted, Lopez-Sanchez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Makens is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.