South Texas woman sent to prison for trying to drive across border with drugs hidden in car doors

LAREDO, Texas – A 42-year-old Brownsville resident has been sentenced following her conviction in Laredo federal court to conspiring with others to import more than 10 kilograms of meth from Mexico, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. 

Ana Lisa Lopez pleaded guilty Dec. 3, 2020, to importing meth and conspiracy to do so.   

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Lopez to serve a 63-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the serious nature and amount of narcotics she attempted to smuggle.

On Nov. 8, 2019, Lopez approached the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge in Laredo driving a Chevrolet Aveo. At that time, authorities conducted an inspection of the vehicle and found 21 bundles of meth concealed within the door frames.

The drugs weighed approximately 10.5 kilograms and have a street value of approximately $73,500.

She was permitted to remain on bond and surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prison facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with assistance from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yoona Lim is prosecuting the case.