Mexican national sentenced to six years for coordinating drug shipments into U.S.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 55-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in Raymondville has been ordered to prison for trafficking methamphetamine and heroin, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Reynaldo Galvan-Rico pleaded guilty April 4, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now ordered him to serve 72 months in federal prison. Galvan-Rico is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.

Beginning in March 2019, authorities identified Galvan-Rico as a coordinator in Mexico. The investigation revealed he acted as the point of contact for the drug supplier in Mexico and the drivers transporting narcotics in the United States.

Galvan-Rico was allowed to remain on bond and surrender at a later date.

“A major component of Operation Take Back America is the pursuit and punishment of drug traffickers,” said Ganjei. “Those that seek a quick buck by poisoning our communities through the drug trade should be looking over their shoulder because we are coming for them.”

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt prosecuted the case.