LAREDO, Texas – A 31-year-old Phoenix, Arizona, man has admitted he attempted to bring $242,325 worth of narcotics into the country via a Laredo-area port of entry, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Jose Correjudo-Trinidad, 31, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 53.5 kilograms of meth.
As part of his plea, Correjudo-Trinidad admitted that on Dec. 15, 2021, he attempted to drive a vehicle through the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint located on Texas State Highway 16 near Hebbronville. At that time, authorities searched inside his trunk and found a large speaker box, which Correjudo-Trinidad admitted did not work. Further inspection yielded approximately 14.7 kilograms of crystal meth, 39.15 kilograms of liquid meth and nearly 300 rounds of ammunition.
Correjudo-Trinidad admitted he had been recruited to transport the drugs from McAllen to Dallas in exchange for $12,000. He purchased the ammunition for himself and planned on smuggling it to Mexico.
The combined meth had a total weight of 53.5 kilograms with an approximate value of $242,325.
Sentencing will be set for a later date before U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo. At that time, Correjudo-Trinidad faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million fine.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Harrison is prosecuting the case.