U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani | U.S. Department of Justice
A Mexican national has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison for attempting to smuggle nearly six kilograms of cocaine into the United States. U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced the sentencing of 49-year-old Carmen Julia Carreon Segovia, who had pleaded guilty on June 12, 2024.
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal imposed a 120-month sentence on Carreon Segovia, who is not a U.S. citizen and will likely face removal proceedings after serving her time.
Hamdani highlighted the gravity of involving a minor in such activities, stating: "Even more insidious than smuggling a dangerous and highly addictive drug into the United States is bringing along your own minor child, exposing her needlessly to a dangerous underworld.” He added that "Segovia will now have 10 years in a prison cell to contemplate the consequences of her actions, actions that affect and endangered her teenage daughter."
The incident occurred on January 19, 2024, when Carreon Segovia attempted to enter the U.S. at the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo with her 16-year-old daughter as a passenger. Upon inspection by authorities, eight bundles containing approximately 6.30 kilograms of cocaine were discovered hidden in the SUV's front fender areas. The drugs had an estimated street value of $90,000.
Initially denying knowledge of the drugs found in her vehicle, Carreon Segovia later admitted awareness that co-conspirators had concealed them within the vehicle for smuggling purposes.
Following her arrest, authorities revoked Carreon Segovia's non-immigrant visa. She remains in custody awaiting transfer to a designated U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was carried out by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.
