A Mexican national residing illegally in Laredo, Texas, has been convicted on multiple counts of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a machine gun. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Carlos Alberto Garcia-Guajardo, 32, was found guilty on all 12 charges after a trial that lasted less than three days. The jury reached its verdict following two and a half hours of deliberation.
According to testimony presented during the trial, Garcia-Guajardo and Fernando Patino Jr., also an illegal alien, sold cocaine and firearms—including several machine guns—out of a home in Laredo. Undercover operations began with the sale of a pistol, at which point Garcia-Guajardo indicated drugs were also available for purchase.
On January 2, Patino and Garcia-Guajardo sold their first machine gun—a Glock model 22 modified with a conversion device—and arranged additional sales involving cocaine and other firearms in the following weeks. In total, they sold ten firearms.
The prosecution presented evidence that the pair used the sale of cocaine and firearms to negotiate future deals. During one transaction, they told a buyer: “because you are paying full price on the snow, we will cut you a deal on the Glock.”
Further evidence showed that Garcia-Guajardo and Patino fired weapons indiscriminately in their neighborhood while engaging in extensive drug trafficking activities.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence on Monterrey Street in Laredo on January 31. Authorities found Garcia-Guajardo along with Jose Guadalupe Hernandez-Garza—a 26-year-old illegal alien from Mexico—as well as scales, cash in various denominations, multiple firearms, and crack cocaine stored near items belonging to young children.
Garcia-Guajardo had previously been ordered removed from the United States twice—the most recent removal order issued in July 2024. Federal law prohibits illegal aliens from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Visiting U.S. District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle presided over the trial and scheduled sentencing for March 5. Garcia-Guajardo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in federal prison and up to life imprisonment; he could also be fined up to $250,000.
Patino pleaded guilty before trial and is awaiting sentencing. Both men remain in custody until sentencing is completed.
Hernandez-Garza admitted guilt for being an alien illegally possessing firearms and ammunition; he has already been sentenced to prison.
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Laredo Police Department; Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations; ICE – Enforcement and Removal Operations; Texas Department of Public Safety; Texas Anti-Gang Unit – Laredo Center; and Border Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tory R. Sailer and Brandon Scott Bowling are prosecuting this case.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
