Two Mexican citizens and one Texas man have been sent to federal prison following convictions of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute eight kilograms of meth, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Gustavo Arocha, 47, Uriel Lopez, 45, both of Michoacan, Mexico, and Juan Hinojosa, 49, of Laredo, all pleaded guilty of trafficking narcotics in 2021.

Today, U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana imposed a 240-month term of imprisonment for Arocha, while Sanchez and Hinojosa received 108 and 120 months, respectively. Not U.S. citizens, Arocha and Lopez are expected to face removal proceedings following their imprisonment.

At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence detailing how the traffickers also conspired to import an additional 27 kilograms of heroin and planned to bring 100 kilograms of cocaine into the country from Mexico. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Saldana noted the importation of illegal drugs brought pain and suffering to the community.

The investigation revealed that from May 4, 2018, to Oct. 28, 2019, Arocha, Lopez and Hinojosa conspired to import illegal drugs into the U.S. through Laredo. During the hearing, the court heard Arocha was the ringleader of the organization and was connected to a source of supply in Mexico with potential buyers in the United States.