Tag Archives: methamphetamine

U.S. Citizen Residing in Mexico Convicted for Smuggling Methamphetamine

January 23, 2013blogarrest, conviction, drug smuggling, drug trade, drug trafficking, HSI, ICE, methamphetamine, Mexico, sentencingAlex Meyerovich

A federal jury on Friday, January 18, 2013, convicted a woman, a U.S. citizen who resided in Reynosa,Mexico, on one count of possessing with intent to distribute more than 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of methamphetamine, announced U.S Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

This conviction resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Jennifer Ellen Marie Rodriguez, 31, was convicted by a jury following a three day trial. During the trial, the government presented testimony that Rodriguez was pulled over June 23, 2012, by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper near Encino. During that traffic stop, Rodriguez claimed to be traveling to San Antonio to attend her grandfather’s funeral. Rodriguez did not know the name or location of the funeral home and did not have appropriate attire expected for such an event.

Rodriguez provided consent to search her vehicle and was arrested after the methamphetamine was discovered hidden in a void behind the vehicle’s dashboard. The government also provided evidence that Rodriguez’s grandfather was a lifelong resident of Michigan and had passed away in 2011.

Rodriguez admitted at trial that she made up the story about the funeral. She testified she did not know the drugs were hidden in her vehicle, but was driving to San Antonio to exchange the vehicle for her kidnapped cousin. Rodriguez claimed that on the previous day, her cousin was kidnapped in Mexico and kidnappers demanded she deliver the vehicle to San Antonio in exchange for her cousin.

The government countered with evidence demonstrating that Rodriguez never told this story to law enforcement at the time of her arrest. In fact, the government proved that Rodriguez had only made the claim just a few days before trial began.

Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced April 24, at which time she faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, as well as a possible $10 million fine. Rodriguez will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad W. Cowan, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted the case.

Montana Woman Sentenced for Methamphetamine Distribution

October 9, 2012blogarrest, DHS, drug trade, drug trafficking, FBI, guilty plea, HIDTA, HSI, ICE, methamphetamine, Montana, sentencing, US Secret ServiceAlex Meyerovich

A Billings, Mont., woman was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison August 30, 2012, following her guilty plea on methamphetamine distribution charges, announced U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter, District of Montana.

This case was jointly investigated by the following agencies: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, Billings High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, and Billings Big Sky Safe Streets Task Force.

Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull also sentenced Jeri Lynn Milheim, 32, to four years of supervised release, $1,934 in restitution, and a $200 special assessment fee. Milheim was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and uttering counterfeit obligations.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica T. Fehr, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

Between February 12 and May 16, 2011, a total of $2,637 in counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes were passed and/or seized ($1,590 passed, $1,047 seized) in and around Billings, Mont., involving 18 different serial numbers in denominations of $1, $5, $20 and $100 bills.
During its investigation, law enforcement learned that two individuals linked to Milheim were responsible for manufacturing the counterfeit money that was passed inBillings. Additionally, law enforcement learned that Milheim was present when counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes were manufactured by others during a stay at a Billings motel in mid-February 2011. The cleaning staff at the motel confirmed for law enforcement that a printer/scanner was found in a room in February, along with a page of uncut counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes.
On Feb. 22, 2011, Milheim wired money from Billings, Mont., to Las Vegas, Nev.She presented $340 in counterfeit $20 bills to Western Union to pay for the wire. Each of the $20 bills presented to Western Union were counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes. Four of the counterfeit Federal Reserve Notes presented to Western Union were marked with Serial No. II08725279A. Milheim knew the bills she presented were counterfeit.
During the same period of time Milheim was involved with counterfeiting, summer 2009 to spring 2011, she was also obtaining methamphetamine from a source of supply in Las Vegas. The investigation discovered that Milheim personally transported quantities of methamphetamine for redistribution in Yellowstone County from Las Vegas, Nev., in vehicles and on her person. Once the methamphetamine was transported to Billings, Mont., Milheim conspired with others in Yellowstone County to redistribute the methamphetamine. The investigation uncovered that from summer 2009 to spring 2011, Milheim conspired with others to redistribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the “truth in sentencing” guidelines mandate that Milheim will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, Milheim has the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for “good behavior.” However, this reduction cannot exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.

Former Navy Sailor Arrested for Drug Smuggling; Disguised Methamphetamines as Candy Bars

August 1, 2012blogcandy, CBP, drug smuggling, drug trade, drug trafficking, HSI, ICE, Japan, LAX, methamphetamine, NavyAlex Meyerovich

A former Navy sailor who worked in military law enforcement is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court the afternoon of Monday, July 30, 2012, on charges he attempted to smuggle more than four pounds of methamphetamine out of the United States packaged to resemble a well-known brand of candy bar.

Rogelio Mauricio Harris, 34, was taken into custody the afternoon of Friday, July 27, 2012, by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as he prepared to board a flight to Japan. According to the criminal complaint, at the time of his arrest Harris was traveling on an improperly retained official government passport that had been issued to him by the U.S. Navy. The complaint states that Harris was discharged from the Navy in August 2011.

Harris’ arrest came after officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conducting routine baggage inspections became suspicious of what appeared to be a large box of candy bars inside his checked luggage. Upon closer inspection, CBP officers discovered the 45 individually wrapped, full-sized “candy bars” which contained a white substance that was subsequently determined to be methamphetamine. According to the criminal complaint, each bar “was coated in a chocolate-like substance to make the contents of the package appear to be a real candy bar.”

“This seizure is a great example of the enforcement work that CBP officers perform every day at our ports of entry, to not only keep illegal contraband and illegal criminal proceeds from entering the country, but from leaving the country as well,” said Todd C. Owen, CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles. “Our officers were diligent in their border security duties and prevented over four pounds of methamphetamine from making it to Japan.”

Harris is charged in a federal criminal complaint with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

“This scheme involved considerable planning and preparation and it shows the lengths to which smugglers will go in an attempt to elude detection,” said Claude Arnold, special agent in charge for HSI Los Angeles. “The fact this ruse was detected should serve as a deterrent for others who might be considering trying similar tactics to conceal dangerous contraband.”

The phony candy bars contained approximately 1,900 grams or just over four pounds of methamphetamine. HSI special agents say the seized contraband would have sold for as much as $250,000 on the street in Japan.

HSI’s probe into the methamphetamine smuggling scheme is ongoing. Investigators say the imposter candy bar packaging is just the latest ruse employed by smugglers trying to transport illegal drugs through LAX. Other recent attempts have involved concealing the contraband in Easter eggs, snack food bags and cans of refried beans.

Yuma Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Meth Smuggling

April 16, 2012blogarrest, CBP, drug trade, HSI, ICE, methamphetamine, sentencing, YumaAlex Meyerovich

A Yuma man was sentenced Wednesday, April 11, to 10 years in federal prison following a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that revealed he attempted to smuggle almost nine kilograms of methamphetamine into the United States and distribute it.

Amado Cabrera Jr., 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Justin L. Quackenbush to 120 months of imprisonment. Cabrera pleaded guilty Jan. 17 to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

“This substantial sentence for a drug courier should deter those who consider engaging in this type of criminal conduct,” said Ann Birmingham Scheel, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “Those approached by drug trafficking organizations to smuggle drugs into the United States will have to weigh the small monetary reward against the huge risk to their personal liberty.”

“Methamphetamine is a vile drug that destroys lives and devastates communities,” said Matt Allen, special agent in charge of HSI Arizona. “HSI special agents continue to work vigilantly with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle those drug trafficking groups who attempt to bring this poison across our border and into our neighborhoods.”

Cabrera, a U.S. citizen, was stopped May 27, 2011, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the San Luis port of entry, when a canine alerted officers to the cargo compartment of his 2004 Chevy Avalanche truck. A search of the truck revealed 20 packages hidden in a non-factory compartment. A subsequent laboratory analysis found that the packages contained a mixture of 99.9 percent pure methamphetamine, with a net weight of 8.867 kilograms.

HSI received substantial assistance with the investigation from CBP. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard D. Sukenic and Kiyoko Patterson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona.