Mexican Man Pleads Guilty to Cross-Border Drug Trafficking Attempt with Family in Tow

A Mexican national pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in a federal court in the border city of Del Rio, Texas. The man was arrested in a port of entry as he was making his way to Florida with his family and hidden bundles of cocaine and fentanyl in tow.

Federico De Los Rios Rios, of Durango, Mexico, attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico with his wife and child through the Eagle Pass port of entry on Oct. 26, 2024. The family was referred to a secondary inspection after De Los Rios Rios presented his U.S. Visa to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.

Upon inspection, border agents reported "anomalies." Additionally, a canine inspection alerted agents of possible illicit drugs inside the vehicle. Further inspection led CBP officers to a trap door located under a seat. Inside the hidden compartment, officers found "multiple bundles wrapped in electrical tape."

Authorities said De Los Rios Rios was transporting about 2 kilograms of a substance consistent with fentanyl and 11 kilograms of a substance consistent with cocaine. A Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory test confirmed the substances to be fentanyl and cocaine.

De Los Rios Rios revealed that he had been paid to transport the drugs from his home in Durango to Orlando, Florida. The defendant received $700 up front and expected to receive an additional $10,000 once in Orlando.

De Los Rios Rios pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. He faces 10 years to life in prison with a maximum $10 million fine.