Texas Drug Courier Sentenced for Cocaine Distribution Conspiracy and Possession

NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that ISAAC ORTIZ ("ORTIZ"), age 23, a resident of El Paso, Texas, was sentenced on October 29, 2024 to 70 months imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and, possession, with the intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and 846.

According to court records, ORTIZ, and his 18-year-old sister, were travelling through Louisiana on I-12 when they were stopped by Louisiana State Police for a traffic violation. During the stop, the vehicle was searched, and approximately ten kilograms of cocaine concealed in the vehicle, were discovered.

U.S. District Judge Greg Guidry sentenced ORTIZ to 70 months imprisonment, a four-year term of supervised release and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Homeland Security and the Louisiana State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maurice Landrieu of the Narcotics Unit.