Mexican man sentenced for attempting to smuggle over 17 pounds of cocaine following HSI Rio Grande Valley, federal partner investigation
McALLEN, Texas — A Mexican man was sentenced Jan. 16 for attempting to import more than 17 pounds of cocaine following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigation.
A federal judge sentenced Juan Mendoza, 53, to 62 months in federal prison. He also faces loss of his legal status and possible removal proceedings. At the hearing, the judge heard evidence that Mendoza had smuggled illegal narcotics on other occasions. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Mendoza’s key role in smuggling narcotics into the United States for further distribution. Mendoza pleaded guilty April 11, 2023, and admitted he attempted to smuggle approximately 8 kilograms, or 17 pounds, of cocaine through the Donna Port of Entry.
“Drug smugglers prey on communities and recklessly disregard the laws of this nation. We will unceasingly work with our federal partners to bring them to justice,” said HSI Rio Grande Valley Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa. “HSI prioritizes protecting the United States and our South Texas communities.”
According to court documents, on Nov. 6, 2022, Mendoza said he had no illegal drugs in his vehicle when he arrived at the checkpoint. Authorities referred him to secondary inspection, where they found two car batteries in his back seat. Officials examined the batteries and found eight packages of a white powdery substance, later determined to be cocaine, with an approximate weight of 8 kilograms. The drugs had an estimated street value of $100,000.
Mendoza remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Southern District of Texas Theodore Parran III and Daniel Chung prosecuted the case.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 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’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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