Woman admits to smuggling pure meth

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 31-year-old Huntsville, Alabama, woman has entered a guilty plea to knowingly attempting to smuggle 20 pounds of pure meth, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

On June 21, 2019, Guadalupe Inostroza-Diaz drove a white Nissan Altima into the primary inspection area of the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Falfurrias. An x-ray search of the vehicle revealed bundles of methamphetamine concealed within the walls of an ice chest located in the car’s trunk.

Laboratory analysis later confirmed the substance in the bundles was 100% pure meth totaling 12 kilograms with a value of more than $919,000.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales will impose sentencing Jan. 15, 2020. At that time, Inostroza-Diaz faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million fine.

She has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert D. Thorpe Jr. and Julie K. Hampton prosecuted the case.