Thirteen Mexican nationals who were arrested in two separate drug smuggling incidents have been sentenced in federal court to extended terms in jail, followed by deportation. On October 2, 2005, rangers arrested ten Mexican nationals who were caught smuggling backpacks of marijuana into the United States. The total weight of the marijuana was 550 pounds. The ten men were indicted on one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana (21 USC 846) and one count each of possession with intent to distribute marijuana (21 USC 841). All ten defendants have now pled guilty to one count each of the conspiracy to distribute charges, and have been sentenced to a total of 175 months of commitment with credit for time served and 36 months each of supervised release. They will be deported upon completion of their sentences. On June 28, 2005, rangers arrested another three Mexican nationals, also caught smuggling backpacks of marijuana into the United States. The total weight of the marijuana was 266 pounds. They were indicted on the same to charges. After a lengthy series of motions and hearings, the narcotics charges were dismissed in favor of immigration charges. Two of the men pled guilty to one count each of unlawfully entering the United States from Mexico (8 USC 1325 (a)). They were sentenced to six months commitment with credit for time served. The third man pled guilty to illegal re-entry after deportation (8 USC 1326(a)), with sentencing enhancement pursuant to 8 USC 1326 (b) (1), and was sentenced to 19 months commitment with credit for time served and 36 months of supervised release. They will be deported upon completion of their sentences.
