A Mexican national has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in smuggling fentanyl into the United States, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Juan Hernandez Alcantar, aged 66, had pleaded guilty on August 6.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo sentenced Alcantar to 168 months in federal prison. Given that he is not a U.S. citizen, Alcantar is expected to undergo removal proceedings after serving his sentence. During sentencing, Judge Marmolejo highlighted Alcantar's leadership role in the drug operation and emphasized the lethal nature of fentanyl along with the potential fatalities resulting from such significant quantities of drugs.

In July 2023, Alcantar was involved in recruiting individuals to transport fentanyl and cocaine. He operated out of his daughter's residence and used her vehicle for drug-related activities. The conspiracy involved smuggling 2,194 grams of fentanyl, 1,200 grams of heroin, and 2,100 grams of cocaine.

Authorities intercepted Alcantar as he attempted to be smuggled to San Antonio in a tractor trailer alongside other undocumented individuals, aiming to bypass a Border Patrol checkpoint north of Laredo.

Alcantar has a history of illegal entry into the United States and previous criminal offenses. The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations with support from Border Patrol as part of the South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Task Force. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Terence A. Check Jr., with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Hakala-Finch, prosecuted the case.