Mexican National Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Smuggling Meth into the United States

DEL RIO, Texas - A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 144 months in prison with credit for time served for one count of conspiracy to import more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Sixto Margarito Riojas-Menchaca, 42, and codefendant Marcelo Fabian Rodriguez-Suarez were referred to a secondary inspection as they entered the Eagle Pass Port of Entry. The Customs and Border Protection officer (CPBO) noticed two fire extinguishers under the back seat of the vehicle. The CBPO had seen the same Mexican brand fire extinguisher in prior seizures. A K-9 gave a positive alert to the back seat of the vehicle on the driver's side. Inside the fire extinguishers office several vacuum-sealed bags and packages containing a white crystal like substance. The substances tested positive for 4.54 kilograms of heroin and 7.88 kilograms of methamphetamine. The two men were taken into federal custody and charged with four counts related to the importation of heroin and methamphetamine.

Riojas-Menchaca pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in April 2022. Rodriguez-Suarez pleaded guilty in January 2023 and currently awaits sentencing, scheduled for Oct. 28.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations and CBP investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Markovits prosecuted the case.

###