Anthony Yates
A judge sentenced a trucker from Texas last week after he reportedly tried to mask the smell of narcotics in his vehicle with urine. He now faces over a year behind bars.
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What happened: According to a press release by the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), the incident occurred on November 1, 2024. 50-year-old Pablo Garcia Ortiz pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute on April 2, and he was sentenced on September 11.
- Authorities explain that Ortiz drove a Freightliner tractor to the Sarita Border Patrol checkpoint. A K9 unit flagged the vehicle for a closer inspection.
- The press release claims that Ortiz then spilled a jug of pee inside the truck cab. Officers also found chilli powder, which the USAO reveals is often used to mask the scent of drugs. The trucker reportedly delayed exiting the cab. He also accused law enforcement of planting evidence.
The Texas Driver Hid Drugs In The Truck Bed
What did the authorities find?: Authorities reportedly found “22 bundles of cocaine weighing approximately 24 kilograms hidden inside a blue toolbox under the bed.”
- The press release explains that the drugs were concealed inside a trash bag and a cardboard box. Authorities also searched Ortiz’s phone and found evidence of a previous drug smuggling attempt.
- US District Judge David Morales sentenced the trucker to 36 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. Officials permitted Ortiz to remain on bond and surrender to a yet-to-be-determined jail in the near future.
Another failed drug run: The USAO detailed another failed smuggling attempt at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge in Laredo. 57-year-old Jose Luis Valverde-Ramos told authorities he was traveling to see his doctor, but they remained unconvinced.
- Law enforcement performed an X-ray scan of the vehicle and noticed something unusual about the roof. On closer inspection, they discovered it was hollow with an electronic opening hatch.
- Officers found eight “tube-like packages” inside. Each was wrapped in plastic, complete with Taco Bell Doritos Locos packaging. Ultimately, authorities seized 51.15 kilograms of methamphetamine from the packages. A judge will sentence Valverde-Ramos on December 8. He faces up to 10 years in prison or a $10 million fine if convicted.
