Mexican National Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Smuggling Over 85 Pounds of Meth into the U.S.

DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 240 months in prison for four counts related to his role in a conspiracy to possess and import more than 85 pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States through Eagle Pass in 2022.

According to court documents, Miguel Antonio Esquivel Rodriguez, 33, attempted to enter the U.S. on Oct. 19, 2022, through the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection officers referred Esquivel Rodriguez to secondary inspection, where anomalies were detected in the floorboard of his vehicle, along with a suspicious amount of air fresheners throughout the vehicle. Further investigation revealed trap doors in the floorboard and a non-factory hidden compartment that contained 83 baggies of a crystal-like substance. A lab report revealed the substance to be 39.382 kgs methamphetamine with a purity of 97%. Esquivel Rodriguez was arrested and taken to processing for further interviewing.

On Nov. 16, 2022, Esquivel Rodriguez was indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine, and one count of importation of methamphetamine. He was found guilty on all four counts in a December 2023 jury trial.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Warsame Galaydh and Tyler Fleming prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhoods.

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