California man indicted for largest methamphetamine seizure in Southeast Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A grand jury in Southeast Texas returned an indictment Thursday against a California man for possessing 132 kilograms (291 lbs.) of methamphetamine, the area’s largest-ever meth seizure.

This indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.  This joint investigation is being conducted by the following agencies:  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Texas Department of Public Safety, Kingsville (Texas) Specialized Crimes and Narcotics Task Force, Kleberg County (Texas) District Attorney’s Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

The indictment against Deandre Bennett, 57, of San Bernardino, California, was returned Jan. 28. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason Libby next week, at which time the government expects to request his continued detention pending further criminal proceedings.

Bennett is charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 132 kilograms of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine on Dec. 2, 2015. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a possible $10 million fine.

This is believed to be the largest-ever seizure of methamphetamine in the Corpus Christi Division.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Jensen, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting this case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.