Thread: AZ: Mexican man, 40, facing fine, prison time

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/border/165083

Border News
Mexican man, 40, facing fine, prison time for meth-smuggling attempt in Nogales

arizona daily star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.18.2007

A 40-year-old Mexican man who attempted to smuggle methamphetamine into the country last year will be sentenced in Tucson in March, officials said Wednesday.

Jose Cardenas-Mendoza was found guilty by a federal jury of possession of meth with intent to distribute it and importation of meth, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

He is facing a minimum of 10 years in prison on each count, a $4 million fine, or both.

The conviction stems from an incident Sept. 22 in which Cardenas-Mendoza was stopped at a Nogales, Ariz., port of entry, the release said.

A search of the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck he was driving revealed 13 packages of methamphetamine hidden in a compartment in the transmission hump, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

During his trial, Cardenas-Mendoza denied knowing the meth was hidden in his vehicle, claiming he had loaned the truck to an acquaintance.

However, evidence showed that his behavior and responses to questioning indicated that he was aware of the drugs and that he intended to bring them into the country, the release said.

Cardenas-Mendoza will be sentenced March 23.

Man gets 16 1/2 years in meth smuggling attempt
By Dale Quinn
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 11.09.2007
A 41-year-old Mexican man was sentenced to 16 1/2 years in prison Wednesday for attempting to smuggle nearly 13 pounds of methamphetamine into the U.S. at Nogales.
Jose Cardenas-Mendoza, 41, was found guilty by a federal jury of possession with intent to distribute meth and for the importation of meth, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Cardenas-Mendoza was stopped Sept. 22, 2005, at a Nogales, Ariz., port of entry, according to the release. He had a valid U.S. border crossing card, but investigators found 13 packages of methamphetamine in a hidden compartment installed in the transmission hump of his pickup truck.
During the trial, Cardenas-Mendoza denied knowing the meth was in his vehicle as he said he’d loaned the truck to a friend just before the offense, the release says.
But evidence showed he knew the drugs were there and he intended to bring them into the country.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/210854