Repeat offender drug smuggler sent to prison

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 47-year-old resident of Matamoros, Mexico, has been sentenced for possession with intent to deliver cocaine and illegal re-entry after removal, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Ricardo Rios-Alanis pleaded guilty June 13.

U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera has now ordered Rios-Alanis to serve a total of 66 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Rios-Alanis is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence detailing his lengthy criminal history, with many convictions dating back to 1997. The convictions include assaultive conduct, two for felony drug offenses and three for illegal reentry after removal. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that in 2021 he granted Rios-Alanis a “sentencing variance,” lowering his sentence to 30 months after Rios-Alanis promised not to return and not continuing to violate the law.

On Feb. 21, law enforcement on routine surveillance of the Rio Grande River in Brownsville observed a vehicle speeding away from the area. Rios-Alani was driving. As authorities attempted to stop the vehicle, Rios-Alanis continued at a high rate of speed, eventually losing a tire.  

Law enforcement approached and removed him, at which time they noticed bundles within the vehicle. They conducted a further search of the vehicle and discovered 10 bundles containing marijuana with a total weight of 203.9 kilograms (448.5 pounds).

Rios-Alanis told law enforcement in return for transporting the narcotics within the United States, he expected to not have to pay for his illegal entry into the country.

Rios-Alanis 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 Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Oscar Ponce prosecuted the case.