CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 46-year-old Edinburg man has learned his fate following his involvement in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Hugo Morales pleaded guilty Aug. 3, 2017, admitting he conspired with others to distribute 33 kilograms of cocaine.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack handed Morales a 70-month sentence to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On Feb. 11, 2017, authorities conducted a roadside inspection of the tractor-trailer Morales was driving. At that time, more than 33 kilograms of cocaine was found hidden inside tarps strapped on his flatbed trailer.
As part of his plea, Morales also agreed to the forfeiture of five vehicles including a Hummer H2, a Chevrolet Corvette, a Chevrolet Camaro and a Harley Davidson Motorcycle as well as cash and jewelry.
Morales was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigations with assistance of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. Thorpe Jr. is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
