Pharr man gets sentenced to 21 years for repeated drug trafficking

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Pharr resident has been sentenced for attempting to distribute cocaine, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced.

Gilberto Eloy Ramirez, 63, pleaded guilty on Oct. 1, 2020, to possession with intent to distribute 24 pounds of cocaine.

In May 2019, authorities conducted a traffic stop and Ramirez was found with two plastic bags in his pocket containing cocaine.

Authorities later searched his residence and found multiple bricks of cocaine, a scale, plastic wrap, razor blades, heat seal bags and a loaded 9mm caliber pistol, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

U.S. District Chief Judge Randy Crane ordered Ramirez to serve up to 21 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Ramirez had an extensive criminal history including seven prior convictions for drug trafficking, the release stated.

Ramirez is pending a transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.