A Mexican national has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine smuggling conspiracy, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei of the Southern District of Texas.
Jose Calleros Avila, 46, pleaded guilty on November 4, 2025. U.S. District Judge John Kazen sentenced him to 87 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Avila was stopped at the Colombia Solidarity Bridge in Laredo on June 1, 2025. He was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban and told authorities he was returning from Matehuala, Mexico with two duffel bags filled with candy for his children. During inspection, officials found two bundles inside one bag mixed with children’s candies that tested positive for methamphetamine. Further examination led to the discovery of a total of 15 bundles weighing 15.44 kilograms.
Authorities said Avila intended to deliver the drugs to another person in Dallas for further distribution across the United States. After delivering the methamphetamine, he planned to return to Dallas, collect cash payments, and wire money to individuals in Mexico.
He admitted that he had transported various narcotics at least five times in exchange for cash payments.
Avila will remain in custody until he is transferred to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tory R. Sailer is prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas is part of the Department of Justice and serves under the Attorney General (official website). The office focuses on prosecuting federal crimes and handling civil cases involving the government (official website). It employs more than 200 attorneys who cover 43 counties with a population exceeding nine million (official website). Offices are located in Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville (official website). Notable former leaders include Alamdar Hamdani (2022-2025) and Ryan Patrick (official history page).
