A Mexican national residing illegally in Raymondville has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and heroin. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Reynaldo Galvan-Rico, 55, pleaded guilty on April 4, 2024. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered him to serve a 72-month sentence. Following his imprisonment, Galvan-Rico is expected to face removal proceedings.
Authorities identified Galvan-Rico as a coordinator based in Mexico beginning in March 2019. The investigation revealed that he acted as the point of contact between the drug supplier in Mexico and drivers transporting narcotics within the United States.
Galvan-Rico was permitted to remain on bond and surrender at a later date.
“A major component of Operation Take Back America is the pursuit and punishment of drug traffickers,” said Ganjei. “Those that seek a quick buck by poisoning our communities through the drug trade should be looking over their shoulder because we are coming for them.”
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and FBI with assistance from Customs and Border Protection.
OCDETF aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. More information about OCDETF can be found on the Department of Justice’s OCDETF webpage.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt prosecuted the case.
