Fourth and final meth trafficker ordered to federal prison

McALLEN, Texas – A 35-year-old Edinburg man has been sentenced for his role in transporting meth in multiple tractor trailer loads, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Roel Longoria pleaded guilty June 23, 2022.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has now ordered Longoria to serve 262 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard of Longoria’s extensive criminal history including three prior felony convictions. In delivering the sentence, Judge Alvarez noted Longoria’s serious pattern of criminal behavior and disregard for the law.  

Judge Alvarez previously sentenced Dorian Hazel Ruiz-Chavez, 36, a citizen of Mexico unlawfully in the United States, Mario Alberto Ortiz, 43, Edinburg, and Luis Ramos, 35, Donna, to 190, 168 and 70 months, respectively.

In September 2020, law enforcement initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization in the Rio Grande Valley. They were believed to be involved with the importation of narcotics from Mexico utilizing commercial tractor trailers with hidden compartments.

Ruiz-Chavez coordinated with a Mexican narcotics supplier who would send the tractor trailers into the United States. Once there, Ruiz-Chavez worked with additional individuals to store and transport the trailers further north. Longoria and Ortiz were tasked to find willing drivers to transport the narcotics north after they entered the United States.

On Nov. 12 2020, authorities seized a tractor trailer after it entered the United States through the Laredo Port of Entry. The trailer contained 147 kilograms of meth within a hidden compartment. On April 26, 2021, authorities seized a tractor trailer after it entered through the Pharr Port of Entry. The trailer contained 90 kilograms of meth within a hidden compartment. Both trailers were allegedly transported at the direction of Ruiz-Chavez.

Following the trailer seizures, the organization changed tactics and began to transport narcotics in smaller loads within passenger vehicles.

On May 13, 2021, authorities apprehended Ramos as he transported 45 kilograms of meth in his personal vehicle.

Longoria has been and 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 Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.