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Press Release

Mexican National Charged with Importing Large Amount of Meth

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas

LAREDO, Texas – A 31-year-old Mexican man is set to appear in federal court following charges of importing 22 kilograms of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Oscar Emmanuel Villegas-Ipina was originally charged by criminal complaint July 31, 2019. A federal grand jury returned the two-count indictment Aug. 27, 2019, alleging conspiracy to import and importing methamphetamine into the United States.

Today, he is set to appear for his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Sheldon at 1:00 p.m.

According to the charges, Villegas-Ipina approached the Lincoln Juarez Port of Entry in Laredo July 29, 2019, driving a 2008 Toyota Sienna with his wife and two children. He was sent to secondary examination where a positive K-9 alert and x-ray examination allegedly revealed anomalies within the backrest of the front and rear seats. A search of the seats resulted in a discovery of 21 bundles of methamphetamine weighing approximately 22.48 kilograms, according to the allegations.

If convicted, he faces a 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 conducted the investigation with assistance from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Garrie Brown 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.

Updated September 5, 2019

Topic
Drug Trafficking