Man convicted of using Taco Bell wrappers to smuggle meth into Texas
FILE - A judge’s gavel rests on top of a desk in the courtroom of the Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum on Feb. 3, 2009, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
LAREDO, Texas - A Mexican national has been convicted of drug trafficking charges after authorities say he smuggled methamphetamine across the Texas border inside of Taco Bell wrappers.
Taco Bell-wrapped meth
What we know:
Jose Luis Valverde-Ramos, 57, has been found guilty of conspiracy to import methamphetamine, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas, said on Wednesday.
Ramos was stopped on June 14 in a Mitsubishi Outlander with Mexico license plates at the Lincoln-Juarez International Bridge in Laredo.
He reported at the crossing that he was on the way to a doctor in Dallas for a blood pressure treatment. The release says anomalies were noticed in the vehicle’s ceiling, and a search was ordered.
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Eight tube-like packages were found in a box in a hidden compartment in the vehicle’s ceiling. Each package was wrapped in Taco Bell Doritos Locos Tacos-branded plastic, according to the release.
The packages were found to contain a total of 51.15 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Following a two-day trial, the jury convicted Ramos after about half an hour of deliberations.
What's next:
Ramos’ sentencing is set for Dec. 9. He faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison, with a possible $10 million maximum fine.
He will remain in custody until his sentencing.
The Source: Information in this report comes from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas.