Mexican national to face removal after 3-year prison sentence for drugs

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 41-year-old Mexican national, who was residing illegally in the United States, was ordered to prison for possessing narcotics with the intent to distribute, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

On Oct. 31, 2024, Rolando Banda-Lucero pleaded guilty.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, on Oct. 25, 2023, Banda-Lucero was going to deliver narcotics in Pharr.

Authorities had conducted surveillance within a shopping center and saw a white work van pull into a parking lot.

Banda-Lucero exited the passenger side of the van and gave a duffel bag to what he thought was a buyer.

Inside the duffel bag were 20 bundles, which weighed approximately 49 pounds and tested positive for cocaine, the release added.

The drugs had an estimated street value of $1.2 million.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Banda-Lucero to serve three years in federal prison.

During the hearing, the court was provided additional evidence that Banda-Lucero did not have the status to be in the country and got involved in narcotics trafficking for money.

Banda-Lucero is expected to face removal proceedings following his sentence.

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.