North Texas woman sentenced to 10 years for smuggling methamphetamine

LAREDO, Texas — A North Texas woman was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in federal prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. This case was investigated jointly by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen sentenced Hermelinda Andrade, 46, a U.S. permanent resident living in Garland, Texas, to 120 months imprisonment, followed by a five-year term of supervised release. She is expected to be deported after she completes her prison term.

On June 23, 2011, Andrade attempted to enter the United States from the Republic of Mexico via the Gateway to Americas Bridge in Laredo. During her inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), officers found a package strapped to her stomach. That package was found to contain 1 ½ pounds of methamphetamine. Andrade pleaded guilty to the charge on Sept. 26.

Andrade has been in federal custody since her arrest. She will remain in custody pending transfer to a Bureau of Prison facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Roberto R. Ramirez, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.