San Juan man arrested at Falfurrias checkpoint with 105 pounds of meth

A San Juan man was arrested Friday at the Falfurrias checkpoint after U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered him to be in possession of nearly 105 pounds of methamphetamine, according to a criminal complaint.

Marco Antonio Rodriguez Jr. was charged with unlawful possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance — nearly 105 pounds of methamphetamine found inside a gray 2013 Ford Escape he was driving.

At about 8:45 a.m. Friday, Rodriguez arrived at the Falfurrias checkpoint with an identification card ready to present to the agents working at the primary inspection, according to the complaint.

Rodriguez stated in Spanish that he was heading to Corpus Christi looking for work in construction despite not having any tools with him or any extra clothing in his vehicle.

The identification card revealed that Rodriguez is from San Juan, but when asked he told agents he was coming from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Rodriguez granted agents consent to search his vehicle. Once the Escape was placed through the X-ray machine, the operator noticed anomalies within, the complaint said.

“During the ensuing search, agents discovered a large quantity of black packages wrapped in clear cellophane concealed within the natural voids of both driver and passenger side quarter panels,” the complaint said, further noting that agents also found packages in “the rear cargo door, rear passenger door and the dashboard.”

A total of 90 black packages were recovered and weighed a combined total of nearly 105 pounds. One package was field tested which resulted positive for the presence of methamphetamine, according to the complaint.

During an interview with DEA officers, Rodriguez initially stated he was going to Corpus Christi looking for work and explained he didn’t have tools with him because he wanted a job before investing. He also explained that he planned on going back home on the same date, which is why he didn’t bring any clothes with him.

He added that he had his Ford Escape for about six weeks and recently changed its license plates.

Rodriguez also said that on April 24 he dropped off his vehicle to “Tia” for several hours.

He handed his phone over to authorities when asked and they discovered WhatsApp messages between him and “Tia,” who he explained was like an aunt to him, but they weren’t actually related.

According to the complaint, the person referred to as “Tia” in this case has been identified.

In one of the texts, “Tia” tells Rodriguez to go to her house by himself to “explain everything to him.”

“Rodriguez explained that he was told to go to Corpus Christi and meet an unknown male at a hotel,” the complaint said. “Rodriguez was told he would receive $2,000 … from the unknown male and then bring the money back to ‘Tia.’”

Agents also noticed that Rodriguez had begun sharing his location with “Tia” at the Stripes parking lot near the port of entry. She also asked if the agents there had asked him any questions when he crossed into the U.S. He then advised her he was taking Highway 281.

Rodriguez was then transported to the Coastal Bend Detention Center in Robstown for overnight detention pending further judicial proceedings.

Rodriguez made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby on Monday morning.

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