PHARR, Texas (Border Report) — A Mexican national has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison after law enforcement found methamphetamine concealed inside cabbage heads, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.
Jose Angel Ibarra-Rojas, 36, pleaded guilty to drug possession with intent to distribute and was sentenced on June 4 by U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton in McAllen, ICE officials said.
According to court documents, Ibarra-Rojas was a passenger in a tractor-trailer when he was arrested during a traffic stop on June 18, 2024 in Pharr, Texas. Officials said a search of the truck revealed 1,154 plastic-wrapped packages containing crystal meth hidden in a load of cabbages in the cargo area.
The drugs had an estimated street value of over $2.8 million and were hidden in balls inside individual cabbage heads that had their innards removed and were covered with outer leaves, ICE says.
Ibarra-Rojas told law enforcement he knew the trailer contained narcotics and said it had recently crossed the border from Mexico into the United States.
He said he was to be paid $1,000 to arrange the transportation of the trailer and drugs farther north into the interior of the U.S. He also admitted to arranging previous drug transports, ICE says.
“This sentencing sends a strong message: any criminal who colludes with terrorist organizations to smuggle dangerous drugs into our communities will face harsh consequences. Thanks to the joint efforts of HSI, CBP, and local partners, we dismantled a dangerous operation and took a major quantity of meth off the streets,” ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa said.
After serving his sentence Ibarra-Rojas is expected to be deported to Mexico.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
Read: Read More