South Texas Woman Sent to Prison for Attempting to Smuggle Meth Through Checkpoint

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 44-year-old Lyford woman has been sentenced for possessing with the intent to distribute more than 26 kilograms of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Jacqueline Barrera pleaded guilty June 19, 2019.

Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales handed her a 120-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Morales noted the seriousness of the offense and the potential sentence. 

On April 17, 2019, Barrera drove a white Mitsubishi Lancer into the primary inspection area of the Border Patrol Checkpoint located near Sarita. A search of the vehicle revealed bundles of methamphetamine concealed within speaker boxes in the trunk of the car.  

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

This Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. is prosecuting the case.