LAREDO, Texas – A 21-year-old resident of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison following his conviction for conspiring to import approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Emmanuel Enrique Martinez-Garcia pleaded guilty Sept. 4.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed a sentence of 48 months and one day in prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional information that detailed how he coordinated the drug smuggling event with traffickers through text messages. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Martinez-Garcia knew what he was doing when he agreed to join the conspiracy and that there was no excuse for importing cocaine into the United States.

On Dec. 10, 2018, Martinez-Garcia applied for admission into the United States via the Gateway to the Americas Bridge Port of Entry in Laredo. During secondary inspection, a K-9 inspected the vehicle and gave a positive alert to the possible presence of concealed narcotics or humans.

Authorities then conducted a non-intrusive X-ray scan of the white F-150, revealing anomalies around the rear gas tank area of the vehicle. They inspected the area and discovered multiple sealed packages wrapped in tape. They probed one of the packages and found a white powdery substance which tested positive for cocaine. Law enforcement ultimately discovered a total of 15 packages of cocaine with an approximate value of $372,000.

Martinez-Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.