LAREDO, TEXAS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Texas, Southern), published as received.
LAREDO, Texas – A 40-year-old resident of San Antonio has been ordered to prison following his conviction of conspiring to import approximately two kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Santos Rene Deleon pleaded guilty July 3, 2019.
Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo handed Deleon a 87-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court noted Deleon had a lengthy criminal history and had stated he was trafficking drugs to pay off a debt.
On April 17, 2019, Deleon entered the United States through the Laredo port of entry as the passenger in a 2000 red Dodge Durango. Authorities soon discovered approximately 1.98 kilograms of meth inside the vehicle’s driveshaft.
Deleon admitted he knowingly imported the drugs into the United States from Mexico with the intent to deliver them to San Antonio. He expected to be paid $3,000.
The drugs had an estimated street value of $14,000.
Deleon will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’ s Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.
