Drug trafficker pleads guilty to smuggling cocaine in car battery following HSI RGV, partner investigation

McALLEN, Texas — A south Texas man pleaded guilty to importing cocaine following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) investigation.

Victor Torres, 28, pleaded guilty before a federal judge for importing cocaine concealed in a car battery. During his plea, Torres admitted he knew he was transporting drugs into United States and that individuals in Mexico recruited him.

According to court documents, on July 18, Torres approached the Hidalgo Port of Entry and told law enforcement officials he did not have any contraband. CBP referred him to secondary inspection, where a K-9 alerted to the vehicle’s battery area. CBP performed an X-ray and discovered four bricks of cocaine. The drugs weighed approximately 4 kilograms and had an estimated street value of approximately $40,000.

U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa will sentence Torres on Jan. 25, 2024. At that time, Torres faces up to 40 years in federal prison and a possible $5 million fine.

Torres has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Theodore Parran III prosecuted the case.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.