Texas man convicted for role in multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy following HSI Corpus Christi investigation

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A Texas man was convicted Sept. 28 for his role in a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Corpus Christi.

Antonio Montes, a 55-year-old resident of Corpus Christi, pleaded guilty Wednesday in the Southern District of Texas to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamines.

As part of his plea, Montes admitted to being involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamines, which spanned from March 1, 2021, through Oct. 22, 2021.

The investigation began in September 2021. At that time, law enforcement discovered Montes was receiving parcels containing methamphetamines from Phoenix, Arizona, to then be distributed in the Corpus Christi area. Under the conspiracy, he agreed to receive the packages of methamphetamines in exchange for approximately $200 per box that he accepted.

On Oct. 21, 2021, authorities executed a search warrant at a co-conspirator’s residence. There, they found a box containing meth residue. The address written on that box was traced to Montes’ residence where it had been delivered on Oct. 5, 2021.

Law enforcement later learned that UPS delivered three packages to Montes, each containing five pounds of methamphetamines and hydroponic marijuana. The delivery service had left the packages on the porch.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales will impose sentencing on Dec. 21. At that time, Montes faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

Montes was permitted to remain on bond pending his sentencing hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Parker Gochenour is prosecuting the case.

HSI is on the front lines of the global fight to identify, disrupt and dismantle drug cartels and other transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) engaged in illegal narcotics smuggling activities. HSI utilizes its expansive statutory authorities, undercover capabilities, border search authority, robust domestic and international footprint, criminal analysis capabilities and strong interagency partnerships at home and abroad to launch complex criminal investigations designed to expose and take down sophisticated networks that produce, transport, broker, finance, sell and distribute illegal narcotics. These efforts have resulted in some of the most significant arrests of traffickers and seizures of illicit drugs across the globe. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, HSI arrested more than 12,900 individuals suspected of narcotics smuggling and drug trafficking-related offenses and seized more than $188 million in illicit drug trafficking proceeds and more than 2.45 million pounds of illegal narcotics.

For more news and information on HSI’s efforts to keep deadly narcotics out of Southeast Texas communities follow us on Twitter @HSIHouston.