LAREDO, Texas - A 35-year-old woman from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, has been ordered to prison following her conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Maria De Jesus Castillo-Flores pleaded guilty Oct. 5, 2016.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Castillo to serve a 120-month term of imprisonment. Not a U.S. citizen, she is expected to face deportation proceedings following her release from prison.
On Aug. 11, 2016, Castillo approached the U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint located at mile marker 29 on Interstate 35, north of Laredo, as the driver of a passenger vehicle. At the primary inspection lane, an agent noticed that it appeared someone had tampered with the carpet under the driver’s seat. Authorities then x-rayed the vehicle, after which they discovered anomalies in the gas tank. Upon further investigation, they found 31 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine concealed in the gas tank. Castillo later admitted she was going to be paid to transport the controlled substance to Houston.
Castillo has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher dos Santos is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
