Drug courier imprisoned for attempting to smuggle 23 pounds of cocaine through POE

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 36-year-old U.S. citizen residing in Matamoros, Mexico, has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Gilberto Lugo pleaded guilty Feb. 15, 2023.

U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now ordered Lugo to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. In handing down the prison term, Judge Olvera noted Lugo had a criminal history that included a felony assault upon a family household member.

On July 21, 2022, Lugo drove into the United States through the Veterans Port of Entry (POE) in Brownsville. Law enforcement noticed he appeared nervous and avoided eye contact. He was also the sole occupant and owner of the vehicle. Lugo claimed he lived in Matamoros and was making entry to search for a “welding course.” During inspection of his vehicle, law enforcement found 10.46 kilograms (or 23 pounds) of cocaine behind the door panels.

As the investigation continued, authorities discovered Lugo had owned the vehicle since December 2021 and had been crossing POE bridges since at least January 2022. A search of Lugo’s cellphone revealed photos of different vehicles crossing the POE, large bundles of cash and zip-lock baggies of a white powder believed to be cocaine.

Lugo 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Oscar Ponce prosecuted the case.