By Roberto Bustamante
A 24-year-old Mexican citizen with a B1/B2 visa will serve forty-eight months in federal prison for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute it, according to acting U.S. Attorney John GE Marck.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton sentenced Roberto Ferral-Sanchez after he pleaded guilty to the charges on November 25, 2025. Since Ferral-Sánchez is not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following his incarceration.
According to a statement, on September 14, 2025, Ferral-Sánchez approached the essential lane of the Hidalgo border post driving a Chevrolet Cruze. The authorities referred him for further inspection, where An x-ray revealed abnormalities in the vehicle’s lower side panels.
Authorities removed the back panel and discovered two hidden compartments, later modified, containing 16 sealed and marked packages. The packages tested positive for cocaine, weighing approximately 18.7 kilograms and an estimated black market value of $1.4 million.
During the hearing, the court noted that Ferral-Sánchez was not a lower-ranking member of the organization, given the amount of narcotics involved, and added that drug trafficking across an international border is a critical and risky function of drug trafficking.
Ferral-Sánchez remains in custody pending transfer to a federal penitentiary facility, the location of which will be determined soon.
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