Texas woman pleads guilty to importing crystal meth after joint HSI McAllen investigation

McALLEN, Texas — A South Texas woman pleaded guilty April 24 to importing approximately 53 pounds of crystal meth into the United States following an investigation worked by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with help from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Nelly Guerra, 39, from Edinburg, pleaded guilty before a federal judge for importing 24 kilograms of crystal meth. According to court documents, Guerra attempted to enter the United States through the Donna Port of Entry. During inspection, authorities discovered 15 packages concealed within the side panels of her vehicle. The investigation revealed the substance was meth with a purity level of 90%.

U.S. District Judge Hinojosa will sentence Guerra on July 26. At that time, Guerra faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.

Guerra remains in custody pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting the case.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of 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.