South Texas man sentenced to nearly 6 years for trafficking cocaine

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A south Texas man was sentenced Monday to five years and 10 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute nearly 10 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Edmundo Antonio Monroy Rivera, 22, of Brownsville, was sentenced Nov. 5 to 70 months in federal prison for cocaine trafficking.

According to court documents, Monroy Rivera pleaded guilty to the charges July 30. The government’s evidence indicated that on March 27, 2010, he was apprehended at the Brownsville and Matamoros Port of Entry while attempting to enter the United States driving a Dodge Caravan. Monroy Rivera’s vehicle was referred to secondary inspection. During this inspection, CBP agents noticed recent tampering to the undercarriage of the van near the fuel tank. Agents then X-rayed the fuel tank and noticed further anomalies. Agents removed the vehicle’s middle seat and located a trap door on top of the fuel tank. They discovered eight bundles containing a white powdery substance which tested positive for cocaine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena Llanos-Salinas, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the case.