HSI Laredo investigation results in visa holder’s drug conspiracy conviction

LAREDO, Texas — A federal court convicted a Mexican citizen and U.S. visa holder Feb. 8 for trafficking approximately $650,000 in meth following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Laredo investigation.

A federal jury sitting in Laredo deliberated for less than two hours before convicting Ana Maria Pena Gutierrez, 53, of Houston, on two charges following a two-day trial.

According to court documents, a former member of the conspiracy Pena was involved in testified at trial and explained how she hired and paid him to drive vehicles to and from Mexico. He also said he had 60 kilograms of meth on Feb. 25, 2021, which led to his arrest at a Laredo port of entry.

The jury also heard from an expert in financial records who described how irregular Pena’s bank activities were. Law enforcement officials also testified, detailing Pena’s confession and the entire conspiracy. The jury heard that approximately 100 kilograms of meth, which had an estimated street value of $650,000, could be attributed to Pena. Pena claimed she did not know the drivers were transporting drugs into the United States, but the jury found her guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana presided over the trial and will set sentencing for a later date. At that time, Pena faces up to life in prison as well as a possible $10 million fine. As a visa-holder, she may also face removal proceedings.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Isaac and Jose Angel Moreno of the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

For additional information about HSI’s investigative efforts, follow @HSI_SanAntonio.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.