Stafford Man Indicted After Alleged Attempt to Smuggle 294 Pounds of Meth into Texas

DEL RIO, Texas - A federal grand jury in Del Rio returned an indictment today charging a Stafford man with four charges related to trafficking methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Yobany Vega, 24, attempted to enter the United States from Mexico through Eagle Pass Camino Real Bridge 2 on Dec. 6. The indictment alleges that Customs and Border Protection Officers noticed a non-factory compartment during secondary inspection and discovered 41 bundles hidden in the vehicle. The bundles contained 294 pounds or 133.63 kgs of methamphetamine.

Vega is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine, and one count of importation of methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces 10 years to life in prison and a maximum $10,000,000 fine for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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

Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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