Edinburg pair among several sentenced for cocaine smuggling

Four people from Mexico have been sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy involving over 220 pounds of cocaine following an investigation that began in 2022, according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

Bolivar Ramos-Barragan, 45, Angel Ramirez-Serna, 28, and Claudia Contreras-Viveros, 41, all pleaded guilty and were sentenced Wednesday.

Ramos-Barragan, Contreras-Viveros and Ramirez-Serna were sentenced to nearly six years, four years and three years in prison, respectively, according to court documents.

Another person involved, Victor Aguilar-Fernandez, was previously sentenced to over 10 years in prison on Aug. 23, 2023.

At around 12:39 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2023, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations agents were investigating a drug trafficking organization, according to the criminal complaint.

The agents were investigating a suspected stash house located in Edinburg that was occupied by Contreras-Viveros and Aguilar-Fernandez.

In addition, agents had identified vehicles that cross illicit narcotics from Mexico into the U.S.

Agents were notified that a previously identified vehicle, a black Buick Enclave driven by a man named Filberto Elizalde-Hernandez, entered the U.S. through the Anzalduas Port of Entry.

“Information obtained through the investigation indicated that Elizalde-Hernandez was smuggling narcotics from Mexico into the United States in the aforementioned Buick,” the complaint said.

Then, around 2:14 p.m. that same day, agents observed the Buick pulling into the garage of the suspect stash house and closing the door behind the Buick.

According to the complaint, the investigation determined that Elizalde-Hernandez would often transfer possession of the Buick to Aguilar-Fernandez and Contreras-Viveros at a Walmart in Edinburg.

At about 3 p.m., agents found Elizalde-Hernandez at the Walmart. At the stash house, agents observed the Buick to be backing out of the garage and departing the residence.

Shortly after, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on the Buick, which was being driven by Aguilar-Fernandez and Contreras-Viveros.

By about 5:45 p.m., Aguilar-Fernandez consented to the deputy to search the vehicle. During a roadside interview, Contreras-Viveros also consented to search the suspected stash house and provided authorities with the garage door remote control.

She stated that she and Aguilar-Fernandez were the only people with access to the residence.

“A search of the house resulted in the finding of eight bricks of suspected cocaine and approximately six bundles of bulk U.S. currency wrapped in rubber bands,” the complaint said.

Contreras-Viveros later admitted that she and Aguilar-Fernandez picked up the Buick at the Walmart and saw Aguilar-Fernandez off-load eight bricks of cocaine from the vehicle. She later stated that each time the Buick came into the U.S., it was loaded with eight bricks of suspected cocaine.

Aguilar-Fernandez later admitted that he’s done this about five different times. Similarly, Elizalde-Hernandez told agents that he suspected he was crossing illegal narcotics.

Months prior to this incident, Ramirez-Serna was arrested while in possession of over 17 pounds of cocaine in December 2022.

According to the release, Ramos-Barragan oversaw the transfer and distribution of the narcotics.

Elizalde-Hernandez is currently scheduled to be sentenced in late April.

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