Car battery cocaine conspiracy lands conviction

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 20-year-old Pharr resident has pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Jesus Neftali Padilla directed drivers to travel north through Border Patrol (BP) checkpoints further into the United States. He admitted to directing the drug smuggling events and supplying cocaine. He also placed modified cocaine-filled batteries in hidden compartments to attempt to avoid detection.

One incident occurred Jan. 27, 2023, at the Sarita BP checkpoint when authorities encountered a vehicle with approximately four kilograms of cocaine hidden in its battery compartment.

Approximately two months later, a truck approached the same checkpoint, at which time law enforcement again found four kilograms of cocaine hidden in the same manner inside a truck.

The cocaine bundles were to be delivered to various locations including San Antonio and Houston.

Padilla admitted to coordinating both events.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing Jan. 8, 2025. At the time, Padilla faces the rest of his life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

Padilla was permitted to remain on bond pending that hearing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Overman and Izaak Bruce are prosecuting the case.