HSI Rio Grande Valley, federal partner investigation results in guilty plea for narcotics trafficker who imported $800,000 in liquid meth

MCALLEN, Texas — A Mexican man pleaded guilty to importing nearly 91 pounds of liquid meth from Mexico following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Manuel Ignacio Ley Villa, 53, was convicted Nov. 28. According to court documents, on April 30, Villa approached the Hidalgo Port of Entry driving a maroon Chrysler Pacifica. Law enforcement officials noticed he appeared nervous and referred him to secondary inspection. There, an X-ray inspection revealed anomalies in the vehicle’s fuel tank. Upon further investigation, they discovered a fuel tank filled with a liquid material that crystalized upon contact with the floor. The substance turned out to be liquid methamphetamine, weighing approximately 41.14 kilograms with an estimated street value of $810,000.

A federal judge has set sentencing for Feb. 13. At that time, Ley Villa faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

Villa will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia is prosecuting the case.

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

HSI is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and 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 over 10,400 employees consists of more than 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.