A federal jury in Laredo has convicted a 57-year-old Mexican national, Jose Luis Valverde-Ramos, of conspiracy to import at least 50 grams of methamphetamine. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The conviction follows a two-day trial and approximately 30 minutes of jury deliberation. On June 14, Valverde-Ramos drove a Mitsubishi Outlander with Mexican license plates to the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge in Laredo. He told law enforcement that he was traveling to Dallas for blood pressure treatment.
During the border inspection, officers observed irregularities in the vehicle’s ceiling and referred Valverde-Ramos for secondary screening. At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that an x-ray revealed an electronically controlled compartment in the ceiling containing eight tube-shaped packages. These packages were wrapped in clear plastic and Taco Bell Doritos Locos wrappers.
Field tests confirmed the packages contained methamphetamine with a total weight of 51.15 kilograms.
Jurors heard testimony that Valverde-Ramos asked about a GPS device possibly being found in his car and claimed someone had contacted him about his arrival in Laredo despite not disclosing his location. Evidence included photographs of the altered vehicle and voice memos instructing him on when and where to cross into the United States.
Valverde-Ramos’s defense maintained he was unaware of any narcotics hidden in his vehicle, but jurors rejected this argument and returned a guilty verdict.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo presided over the case and scheduled sentencing for December 9. Valverde-Ramos faces a minimum prison term of 10 years up to life, as well as a possible fine reaching $10 million.
He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations with support from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Oliver and Leslie Cortez prosecuted the case.
