A 53-year-old naturalized citizen residing in Mexico has pleaded guilty to importing nearly 91 pounds of methamphetamine from Mexico, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

On April 30, Manuel Ignacio Ley Villa approached the Hidalgo port of entry in a maroon Chrysler Pacifica. Law enforcement officers observed his nervous demeanor and subsequently referred him to a secondary inspection. During this inspection, an x-ray examination revealed irregularities within the vehicle's fuel tank.

Upon closer investigation, law enforcement discovered that the fuel tank was filled with a liquid substance that crystallized upon contact with the floor. The weight of the liquid methamphetamine was approximately 41.14 kilograms, with an estimated street value of $810,000.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez accepted Ley Villa's guilty plea and scheduled the sentencing for February 13, 2024. During the sentencing, Ley Villa could face up to life in federal prison and a maximum fine of $10 million. He is currently in custody and will remain so until the sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, with the support of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia is prosecuting the case.