Mexican national sentenced for trafficking cocaine into US from Mexico

PECOS, Texas — A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in Pecos to 41 months in prison for cocaine trafficking on Jan. 31.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case with assistance from the Brewster County Sheriff’s Department.

According to court documents, a Brewster County sheriff’s deputy stopped Ana Cristina Alarcon Rios, 24, of Chihuahua, for speeding along Highway 90 in Alpine. A canine search of her vehicle revealed 10 bundles containing 11.1 kilograms of cocaine destined for Denver. Rios pleaded guilty on Aug. 25, 2023, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Greenbaum and Dustin Farahnak prosecuted the case.

To report suspicious drug-related activity, call 877-4-HSI-TIP (877-447-4847). For more information on HSI El Paso’s efforts to investigate drug smuggling in West Texas and the state of New Mexico, follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, @HSIElPaso.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)