South Texas man sentenced to 4 years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking

BROWSNVILLE, Texas — A south Texas man was sentenced Wednesday to four years in federal prison for cocaine trafficking.

This sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick, Southern District of Texas. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  

Jorge Barrera, 33, from Garciasville, Texas, was sentenced Feb. 21 by U.S. District Rolando Olvera to 48 months in federal prison and to two years of supervised release.  Barrera pleaded guilty to the cocaine trafficking charges Nov. 16, 2017.   

According to court documents, on Aug. 16, 2017, authorities began an investigation after a Chevrolet Impala was discovered at the Veterans Port of Entry in Brownsville that contained more than seven kilograms of cocaine. HSI conducted a controlled delivery at the parking lot of a local mall located in McAllen, Texas. During surveillance, HSI observed Barrera arrive and park next to the cocaine-loaded vehicle. Soon after his arrival, Barrera got in the vehicle and attempted to drive away. However, HSI surrounded him and arrested him. HSI discovered more than seven kilograms of cocaine concealed in the vehicle’s dashboard.

Barrera remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena Salinas, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting this case.