LAREDO, Texas - Two Mexican nationals convicted of attempting to import crystal methamphetamine from Mexico have been ordered to federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Juan Jose Acevedo-Azua, 38, and Veronica Rios-Rojas, 37, pleaded guilty Aug. 8 and 10, 2016, respectively.
Today, U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen ordered Acevedo-Azua and Rios-Rojas to serve 120 and 98 months, respectively. Not U.S. citizens, both are expected to face deportation proceedings following their release from prison. In handing down the sentence, Judge Kazen noted that Acevedo-Azua’s higher sentence was due in part because he admitted this was his second or third trip for the same smuggler.
On April 12, 2016, Acevedo-Azua and Rios-Rojas entered the U.S. from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and approached the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge and Gateway to the Americas International Bridge, respectively. Acevedo-Azua had almost 54 kilograms of the crystal methamphetamine concealed within the Ford F-150 he operated, while Rios-Rojas had approximately 34 kilograms within her Nissan Altima. The investigation revealed that each worked for the same individual in Mexico.
Both have been in custody since their arrests where they will remain pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
