Mexico City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Importation of Cocaine and Heroin

(Press Release) In Del Rio, a federal judge sentenced 42-year-old Guillermo Rodriguez-Sanchez to 151 months in federal prison for importation of 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.

On October 19, 2016, 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.

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