A 45-year-old San Benito resident was sentenced to federal prison for possession with intent to distribute liquid meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The suspect, Pedro Rodriguez III, pleaded guilty July 14.
Rodriguez was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Rodriguez’s extensive criminal history.
On Jan. 11, the San Benito Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Rodriguez after he switched lanes without signaling, according to the DEA. They soon discovered he had several pending state arrest warrants and took him into custody.
Police searched his vehicle and found approximately 253.2 kilograms of liquid meth hidden inside an auxiliary gas tank. Rodriguez admitted he knew the meth was inside the gas tank and had agreed to transport the narcotics from South Texas to Dallas.
Rodriguez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the San Benito Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez prosecuted the case.