LAREDO, Texas - Rosalva Reyna-Llamas, 30, of Monterrey, Mexico, has been found guilty on all counts as charged - conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute and importation of methamphetamine, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.
Reyna-Llamas was arrested on Feb. 2, 2013, at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge International Port of Entry Bridge I in Laredo. She was driving a blue Mazda CX-7 SUV with State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, registration. During a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection, an officer discovered nine bundles of methamphetamine weighing 18.24 kilograms hidden in after-market compartments in the side rocker panels of the vehicle.
The jury heard that following her arrest, Reyna-Llamas denied knowledge of the presence of the methamphetamine. According to trial testimony of the officers and agents, she claimed the car was hers and that she wanted to stay in Laredo. However, when questioned by agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), she then claimed the car was purchased for her and that she intended to go to Dallas to pick up luggage for the person who bought her the vehicle. Agents testified that she had plane tickets and a crossing history in her possession demonstrating she had made a flight from Houston to Monterrey the previous day.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana, who presided over the two-day trial, will set sentencing at a later date. At that time, Reyna-Llamas faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million fine. Reyna-Llamas has been detained since her arrest on Feb. 2, 2013, where she will remain pending that hearing.
The case was investigated by HSI and CBP. Assistant United States Attorneys Roberto F. Ramirez and Sanjeev Bhasker prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
