Brownsville resident heads to prison for trafficking cocaine in hidden compartment

BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 51-year-old man has been sentenced following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Rosalio Mendoza pleaded guilty May 1.

U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now ordered Mendoza to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the severity of drug case punishments and admonished Mendoza that should he ever return to the drug business, he could be facing potential life in federal prison.

On Jan. 26, Mendoza applied for entry into the United States at the Veteran's Port of Entry in Brownsville, at which time authorities referred him to secondary inspection.

There, a K-9 alerted law enforcement to the driver's side door and eventually to the center console in the vehicle. Law enforcement removed the console and found a hidden compartment containing 14 packages that tested positive for cocaine.

The drugs had a combined weight of 12.42 kilograms with an estimated street value of $155,250.

Mendoza will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Arreola prosecuted the case.