A 39-year-old Mexican national, Heriberto Marin-Hebert, who resided in McAllen, has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison following charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute, as the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas announced. Having pleaded guilty on Nov. 22, 2024, Marin-Hebert's conviction comes after a period of law enforcement surveillance revealing illicit drug activities.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane presided over the case, ultimately adjudicating the defendant to confront the federal penal system. With non-U.S. citizen status, it is expected that Marin-Hebert will face removal proceedings subsequent to his incarceration. On Aug. 14, 2024, while making hand-to-hand exchanges in McAllen, officers observed him with his children in the vehicle, throwing a box filled with cocaine into a ditch during a traffic stop to avoid detection.
The investigation, spearheaded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Constable's Office, led to the discovery of additional cocaine, drug paraphernalia, cash exceeding $12,000, and two firearms following a search of Marin-Hebert's residence.
Marin-Hebert had also his children present during the illicit exchanges as reported by law enforcement. During his arrest, he admitted to selling cocaine as his source of income. As revealed by the U.S. Attorney's office, “He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan was responsible for prosecuting the case.
