Federal Jury in Del Rio Convicts Mexico City Man for Importation of Cocaine and Heroin

(Press Release) Guillermo Rodriguez-Sanchez, a 42-year-old resident of Mexico City, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least ten years and up to life in federal prison after a jury convicted him late yesterday afternoon of importation cocaine and heroin, announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr.; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden, San Antonio Division; and, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit, Houston Division.

Jurors convicted Rodriguez-Sanchez of one count of importation of cocaine and one count of importation of heroin. According to evidence presented during trial, on March 16, 2016, Rodriguez-Sanchez, a Mexican citizen and resident of Mexico City, attempted to enter the United States of America through the Eagle Pass Port of Entry Number One.  CBP officers subsequently discovered four bricks of cocaine and one brick of heroin hidden inside of a secret compartment that was built into the air intake manifold of the 2007 Toyota Tundra the defendant was driving. The total weight of the cocaine was approximately four kilograms; the heroin, approximately 1.4 kilograms. Testimony at trial established that the value of the narcotics was approximately $200,000. At the time of his arrest, Rodriguez-Sanchez denied knowledge of the drugs.

Rodriguez-Sanchez remains in federal custody pending sentencing scheduled for 10:00 am on April 4, 2017, before United States District Judge Alia Moses in Del Rio.

This investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant United States Attorneys Goran Krnaich and Justin Chung are prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.