McALLEN, Texas – Two men who illegally resided in Edinburg have been ordered to federal prison for their role in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 128 kilograms of cocaine and five kilograms of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Victor Hugo Gil-Martinez, 28, pleaded guilty Jan. 3, while Rodrigo Aguilar-Rosas admitted his guilt March 22.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced both Gil and Aguilar to each serve 210 months in federal prison. Not U.S. citizens, both men are expected to face removal proceedings following their imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard evidence that in addition to receiving and storing narcotics from Mexico, both men also participated in the transport of currency and ammunition back south to Mexico. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Gil and Aguilar illegally entered the United States for the sole purpose of working in the drug trafficking organization.
On Sept. 27, 2021, law enforcement conducted a search of an Edinburg residence and located approximately 39 vehicle batteries. Upon opening the batteries, they discovered a total of 128 kilograms of cocaine and five kilograms of meth.
Both Gil and Aguilar admitted to receiving the narcotics-filled batteries from other individuals who smuggled them into the United States from Mexico. The men would store the narcotics-filled batteries at the residence, remove the narcotics and then transport the narcotics to other individuals across the Rio Grande Valley.
At the time of the search, authorities also located approximately $142,000 in United States currency. The bulk currency was wrapped and packaged destined to be transported to Mexico.
The total narcotics seized has an estimated street value of $3,217,500.
Both men have 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 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.