Two plead guilty to roles in cocaine trafficking conspiracy

Editor's Note:
This matter occurred on date indicated, but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.   

LAREDO, Texas – An illegal alien from Mexico and a local man have admitted they conspired together to organize and transport cocaine from Laredo to other locations across the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

In March, Luis Manuel Castillo Garcia, 51, who had been illegally residing in Laredo, recruited tractor-trailer drivers to haul several loads of cocaine stored at a local yard. Luis Alonzo Pena Jr., 30, Laredo, was one of the drivers.

Garcia arranged for two trailers containing hidden compartments of cocaine to be transported from Laredo. He offered $9,000 per trailer. Authorities seized the first trailer March 4 which was found to contain 23.5 kilograms of cocaine, while there was 26.5 kilograms in the second trailer the following day.

On May 8, law enforcement observed Garcia meet Pena at a location in Laredo. Pena arrived in a red Chevrolet Silverado and accepted a duffle bag of cocaine for transport.

A subsequent traffic stop led to the discovery of the bag, which contained 15 bundles of cocaine weighing approximately 18.5 kilograms.

In total, authorities seized over 65 kilograms of cocaine over the course of the investigation. The drugs have an estimated street value of over $1 million.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana will impose sentencing at a later date. At that time both face up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum possible fine. Not a U.S. citizen, Garcia also admitted to illegally reentering the country and faces an additional term of up to 20 years in prison.  

Both men have been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Laredo Police Department, Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Lou Castillo is prosecuting the case.