CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 30-year-old woman from Harlingen has been ordered to prison following her conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Irma Matamoros-Santillan pleaded guilty Oct. 19, 2016.
Today, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos sentenced Matamoros-Santillan to 120 months imprisonment to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release.
On Aug. 10, 2016, a Greyhound bus entered the U.S. Border Patrol (BP) Checkpoint outside of Falfurrias for primary inspection. At that time, authorities identified Lisa Rustin, 18, of Ingleside, and discovered approximately 1.3 kilograms of marijuana concealed in her bags.
The follow up investigation revealed Matamoros-Santillan was seated a few rows behind her where authorities also discovered 480 grams of suspected methamphetamine in an unclaimed bag. It was determined the women were traveling together and responsible for the narcotics.
Laboratory analysis determined the methamphetamine had a purity of 94%, yielding 452 grams of actual methamphetamine.
Matamoros-Santillan will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Rustin also pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on a later date. She remains in custody.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.