Mexican Man Pleads Guilty to Importing Meth

LAREDO, Texas – A 35-year-old resident of Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, has entered a guilty plea to conspiracy and to importing methamphetamine into the United States from Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Ricardo Muñoz-Vega admitted transporting methamphetamine across the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge in Laredo. On Oct. 11, 2017, he crossed the bridge in a pick-up truck and was referred to secondary inspection. There, authorities discovered 29 bundles of narcotics in the vehicle’s wheels and another two bundles in the rear tire compartment.

The methamphetamine had a net weight of 56.03 kilograms and a purity of 98%. 

Sentencing will be set before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña at a later date. At that time, Muñoz-Vega faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison as well as possible $10 million fine.  

Muñoz-Vega has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

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