A man from Illinois, aged 42, was sentenced on Thursday for attempting to smuggle around 117 pounds of liquid methamphetamine. The drugs were cleverly concealed in containers that were labeled as horse vitamins.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has sentenced Cruz Vargas to ten years in prison for his attempt. Vargas pleaded guilty on March 4, 2023.
On July 24, 2022, authorities apprehended Vargas as he made his way to the Rio Grande City Port of Entry. He was driving a 2012 Dodge Caravan, which contained 12 sealed containers.
According to a criminal complaint, CBP officers noticed two boxes in the back of the minivan during a secondary inspection.
“The boxes were opened, and each revealed 6 sealed containers labeled as horse vitamin pellets. When CBP Officers opened the containers, they found a liquid substance inside and not pellets,” the complaint stated. “The liquid substance inside each container was field tested and each was determined to contain methamphetamine. The labels appeared to be counterfeit.”
Vargas willingly gave up his rights and cooperated with investigators without the presence of a lawyer after he was arrested.
He confessed that he would receive a payment of $6,000 for the smuggling attempt. He mentioned that a man in Camargo, Tamaulipas approached him on July 19, 2022, and offered him the job.
On the day of the smuggling attempt, Vargas recounted how he had a meeting with two unidentified individuals at a car wash in Camargo, Tamaulipas. During the encounter, they loaded the boxes into his minivan.
“Vargas stated that he was given a receipt that indicated the purchase of Red Cell Vitamins (for horses) and some chicken feed,” the complaint stated. “One of the unknown men told Vargas that once he crossed into the U.S., to call the male subject and that he would give Vargas further instructions.”
The suspect has been held in custody since his apprehension.