Mexican Woman Sentenced for Importing Methamphetamine

LAREDO, Texas – A 24-year-old woman from Guadalajara, Mexico, has been ordered to prison following her conviction of the conspiracy to import methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Vanessa Hernandez pleaded guilty Sept. 6, 2016.

Today, U.S. District Senior Judge George P. Kazen ordered Hernandez to serve a 100-month term of imprisonment. Not a U.S. citizen, she is expected to face deportation proceedings following her release from prison.

On July 13, 2016, Hernandez applied for entry into the United States at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge in Laredo as a passenger in a Mexican taxi cab. She was travelling with one piece of luggage which showed anomalies within the lining wall. Further inspection of the luggage revealed two clear bags containing 4.02 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Hernandez has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher dos Santos is prosecuting the case.