LAREDO, Texas - A 32-year-old Mexican national has been ordered to federal prison after admitting he conspired to import over 50 kilograms of meth into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Jose Ramos-Delgadillo pleaded guilty Oct. 3, 2019, to two counts - conspiracy to import and importation of meth.
Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana handed him a 46-month sentence. Not a U.S. citizen, Ramos-Delgadillo is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.
On Aug. 4, 2019, Ramos-Delgadillo arrived in Laredo at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge driving a Ford Escape. An initial search yielded 24 bundles of meth concealed within the tires. However, authorities also discovered an additional 19 bundles in the vehicle’s firewall.
Upon questioning, Ramos-Delgadillo claimed he was a wrestler from Guadalajara, Mexico, who was traveling to Dallas to visit a friend.
He soon admitted he knew there were narcotics in the vehicle. He expected to be paid $5,000 for transporting the drugs.
The drugs weighed a total of 53.56 kilograms with an approximate value of more than $300,000.
He has been and 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 conducted the investigation with assistance from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
