Five Mexican Nationals Sentenced in Drug Trafficking Scheme Involving Over 100 Kilograms of Cocaine

Federal authorities have sentenced five Mexican nationals for their roles in a large-scale drug trafficking network responsible for moving over 100 kilograms of cocaine into the United States.

The most recent sentences were handed down to Bolivar Ramos-Barragan, 45; Angel Ramirez-Serna, 28; and Claudia Contreras-Viveros, 41—all three had previously pleaded guilty. Ramos-Barragan received 70 months in prison, Ramirez-Serna was sentenced to 36 months, and Contreras-Viveros to 50 months.

All are Mexican nationals and are expected to face deportation once their prison terms are completed.

These latest convictions follow the earlier sentencing of Victor Aguilar—also of Mexico and the husband of Contreras-Viveros—who was given 127 months in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy.

According to investigators, the trafficking operation ran from 2022 to 2023 and involved smuggling large amounts of cocaine across the southern U.S. border. While officials haven't disclosed the exact smuggling routes or border crossings used, federal authorities noted that the Edinburg Police Department and the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office assisted in the investigation—suggesting the group operated in the Rio Grande Valley, near McAllen, a key entry point on the U.S.-Mexico border.

"The co-conspirators would use vehicles to smuggle the drugs, which were then stored in local stash houses," said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. From there, the cocaine was funneled through various distribution channels across the country.

In December 2022, Ramirez-Serna was arrested while transporting eight kilograms of cocaine. The following month, Filiberto Elizalde-Hernandez delivered another eight kilograms to Contreras-Viveros and Aguilar. Authorities say Ramos-Barragan played a leadership role, managing the logistics of moving and distributing the drugs.

Elizalde-Hernandez has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 28.

Ramos-Barragan, Ramirez-Serna, and Contreras-Viveros remain in custody and will be transferred to federal prison facilities.

Cocaine Trafficking on the Rise

According to a March report from the United Nations, cocaine production in South America has surged, with output jumping 53% between 2022 and 2023, reaching 2,664 metric tons. The ripple effect is being felt at the U.S.-Mexico border, where seizures are climbing—even as fentanyl-related incidents show signs of decline.

Several recent busts in South Texas point to the increasing volume of cocaine being smuggled:

• February 24: CBP officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted a passenger bus from Mexico carrying $2.7 million worth of cocaine hidden on board.
• March 7: Officers at the Pharr Port of Entry cargo facility discovered $6.2 million in cocaine concealed in a shipment of plastic rolls, according to Border Report.

"Cocaine never left," Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's El Paso Division told Border Report. "It continues to be one of the primary drugs of choice, so it's never left our radar."

While law enforcement attention in recent years has focused heavily on fentanyl, authorities stress that cocaine remains a core part of cartel operations. Major organizations like Colombia's Clan del Golfo, FARC, and ELN, as well as Mexico's Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, continue to be deeply involved in its production and trafficking.