An illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced for trafficking cocaine following an investigation conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Rio Grande Valley Office.
Jorge Alberto Galindo-Vargas, 44, illegally residing in Mission, Texas, was sentenced on February 20 by Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane to serve 210 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
During the hearing, Galindo-Vargas spoke to the court, noting that he had previously received a large sentence for drug trafficking at the age of 17.
In handing down the sentence, in response to Galindo-Vargas’ statements, Judge Crane stated, “Unfortunately, you’re in the cocaine business again, and that’s going to cost you another chunk of your life.” Galindo-Vargas pleaded guilty on June 28, 2024.
According to court documents, on Nov. 1, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 12 kilograms of cocaine inside an ice chest inside the vehicle.
Galindo-Vargas remains in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
