Man attempts to smuggle 300lbs of meth in gas tank: U.S. Attorney's Office

LAREDO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man has pled guilty to attempting to smuggle up to 300 pounds of meth in a gas tank, The United States Attorney's Office announced.

On November 22, 2023, Allan Alberto Moreno Trevino approached the Laredo Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Port of Entry in a white 2004 Ford F-250 pickup truck.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, law enforcement agencies took Trevino's vehicle for a second inspection, where an X-ray revealed "anomalies" within the vehicle's gas tank.

Authorities said, during the vehicle's inspection they noticed Trevino pacing and appearing nervous, and later asked them if something had been found.

Law enforcement later discovered that the fuel tank was filled with liquid meth mixed with gasoline, the release stated.

"Law enforcement extracted nine buckets of the mixture with an approximate gross weight of [300 pounds] and an estimated street value of $340,000," Alamdar S. Hamdani, U.S. Attorney said in the release.

Trevino admitted, as part of his plea, he was expected to be paid between $1,500 to $2,000 for transporting the drugs from Mexico.

Additionally, he also admitted that he knew the gas tank was filled with meth, and was to deliver it to others in San Antonio, where the liquid meth would've been extracted, the release stated.

The U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña has set his sentencing for a later date. At that time, Trevino faces up to life in prison and a $10 million maximum fine.

He is currently in custody and pending sentencing.