LAREDO, Texas – A 21-year-old resident of Nuevo Laredo,
Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction
for conspiring to import approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine into the United
States from Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Emmanuel Enrique Martinez-Garcia pleaded guilty Sept. 4.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo
imposed a sentence of 48 months and one day in prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he
is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the
court heard additional information that detailed how he coordinated the drug
smuggling event with traffickers through text messages. In handing down the
sentence, the court noted Martinez-Garcia knew what he was doing
when he agreed to join the conspiracy and that there was no excuse for importing
cocaine into the United States.
On Dec. 10, 2018, Martinez-Garcia applied for admission
into the United States via the Gateway to the Americas Bridge Port of Entry in
Laredo. During secondary inspection, a K-9 inspected the vehicle and gave a
positive alert to the possible presence of concealed narcotics or humans.
Authorities then conducted a non-intrusive X-ray scan of
the white F-150, revealing anomalies around the rear gas tank area of the
vehicle. They inspected the area and discovered multiple sealed packages
wrapped in tape. They probed one of the packages and found a white powdery
substance which tested positive for cocaine. Law enforcement ultimately
discovered a total of 15 packages of cocaine with an approximate value of
$372,000.
Martinez-Garcia 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 and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland
Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney
Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.
