LAREDO, Texas - A 22-year-old Texas man has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction of importing more than 56 kilograms of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Amado Flores-Casas Jr., of Elgin, pleaded guilty Sept. 1, 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison handed Flores a total sentence of 120 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that this was the defendant’s first drug offense and had no record of violent crimes.
On June 17, 2017, Flores arrived at the Lincoln Juarez International Bridge in Laredo driving a white Ford F-150. He was ordered to secondary inspection, at which time agents using a fiber optic scope noticed crystallization and a thick milky substance below the gasoline inside the tank of the vehicle. Authorities removed the gas tank and discovered approximately 56.78 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine.
Flores will remain in custody 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 Christopher S. Coker prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
