A 46-year-old Mexican national is headed to federal prison for 87 months after authorities said he helped move more than 15 kilograms of methamphetamine into the United States, stashing the drugs in duffel bags mixed with children's candy during a routine inspection at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge in Laredo. U.S. District Judge John Kazen also ordered three years of supervised release. Jose Calleros Avila, 46, received the 87-month sentence at a federal hearing and will stay in federal custody until he is transferred to a Bureau of Prisons facility, according to MyTexasDaily.
How Agents Say The Candy Bags Gave It Away
The case started on June 1, 2025, when Avila drove a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban across the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge and was sent to secondary inspection, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas said. Agents first spotted two bundles inside a bag mixed with candy, which triggered a deeper search. That search turned up 15 bundles weighing about 15.44 kilograms that tested positive for methamphetamine.
Prosecutors said Avila admitted he had transported narcotics at least five times before and planned to get the load to Dallas for further distribution.
Guilty Plea Locks In The Outcome
Avila pleaded guilty in federal court on Nov. 4, 2025, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tory R. Sailer prosecuted the case, local reporting and court records show, KGNS reported. According to that reporting, Avila said he planned to collect cash in Dallas and wire the proceeds back to individuals in Mexico after delivering the drugs. The plea came months after his arrest at the bridge in June 2025.
Colombia-Solidarity Bridge Keeps Drawing Big Drug Loads
The Colombia-Solidarity Bridge has been the scene of several major meth seizures in recent months, including interdictions totaling hundreds of pounds, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Local coverage earlier this year highlighted a separate June seizure at the same crossing and the tactics smugglers use to hide drugs in cargo and personal items, separate June seizure reported.
What Comes Next For Avila
Per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Avila will remain in custody until the Bureau of Prisons assigns a facility and will then face three years of supervised release after his sentence ends. The investigation was led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations with help from Customs and Border Protection, the office said.
