Two men from Mission have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Eddie Perez, 29, and Juan Alberto Mendez Jr., 29, admitted guilt on April 24, 2023, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 20 kilograms of cocaine.
U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane imposed a 120-month-term of imprisonment for Perez, while Mendez received a 96-month sentence. Additionally, they must serve five and three years of supervised release, respectively, following their prison terms. During the hearing, evidence of Perez's criminal history, including three prior felony convictions, was presented.
The incident occurred in October 2022, when Perez was supposed to deliver narcotics to another individual on behalf of Mendez.
Law enforcement authorities conducted surveillance at a Best Buy parking lot in McAllen, anticipating the narcotics exchange. They observed vehicles approaching, and Perez was seen removing bags containing bricks of cocaine from his vehicle's trunk.
Mendez, accompanied by his wife and six children, was parked in another vehicle, observing the transaction.
Upon approaching the scene, law enforcement officers arrested Perez and Mendez, seizing a total of 20 kilograms of cocaine immediately.
A subsequent search of Mendez's home led to the discovery of an additional kilogram of cocaine.
Mendez was allowed to remain on bond and is expected to surrender voluntarily to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility in the near future. Meanwhile, Perez has been and will continue to remain in custody.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Garcia prosecuted the case.
