Denisse Ahumada-Martinez, a 34-year-old city councilwoman in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, has entered a guilty plea to charges of possession with intent to distribute approximately 42 kilograms of cocaine, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
On June 10, Ahumada-Martinez attempted to drive a vehicle from Reynosa, Mexico, into the United States, making her way to the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint. During a routine inspection, an X-ray scan of her vehicle raised suspicion, as it revealed multiple anomalies believed to be narcotics concealed within the vehicle.
Upon further inspection, law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the vehicle, ultimately uncovering approximately 42 kilograms of cocaine. The estimated street value of the seized cocaine was reported to be around $900,000.
U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa is set to impose sentencing on January 31, 2024. Ahumada-Martinez faces the possibility of a life sentence and a maximum fine of $10 million.
Following her guilty plea, she has been in custody and will remain so until her sentencing hearing.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Garcia and Alexa Parcell prosecuted the case.
