Truck driver sentenced for smuggling fentanyl hidden in lime shipment

McALLEN, Texas – A 33-year-old Mexican man has been sentenced for importing 4.6 kilograms of fentanyl and 43 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Nestor Carbajal-Alvarez pleaded guilty April 19, 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered him to prison for 60 months. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence. At the hearing, the sentencing, the defense argued for a minimal sentence since he was only acting as a “courier” and did not have much knowledge as to the overall drug trafficking scheme. However, the government contended it was a substantial load of controlled substances that could have potentially harmed many citizens.

On Jan. 29, 2021, Carbajal-Alvarez arrived at the Pharr Port of Entry with a shipment of limes. He was eventually sent to secondary inspection where authorities discovered the drugs hidden in the floor of the trailer.  

Carbajal-Alvarez admitted he knew his trailer contained narcotics and was delivering them to an unknown individual in McAllen.

The total estimated street value of the drugs was approximately $1,063,500.

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

Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez prosecuted the case.