Smuggler with Gulf Cartel connections pleads guilty in Operation Ice River

McALLEN, TEXAS (ValleyCentral) — A drug smuggler with Gulf Cartel connections struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty Monday.

Diego Alberto Reyes Roiz, 42, of Rio Grande City confessed to participating in a conspiracy that involved more than 2,200 pounds of marijuana, more than 11 pounds of cocaine and more than 1 pound of methamphetamine.

“Guilty,” Reyes said on Monday morning, when he appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane at the federal courthouse in McAllen.

The case against Reyes is part of Operation Ice River, which targeted a drug trafficking organization allegedly headed by Ignacio “Nacho” Garza, 52, of Rio Grande City.

After a lengthy investigation, which involved more than 20 wiretaps, federal agents started making arrests in September 2021.

Prosecutors brought charges against more than two dozen people, including Garza’s wife, Melissa, who served as city secretary for Rio Grande City, and former Starr County Justice of the Peace Roel “Role” Valadez Jr.

Reyes played a key role within the organization.

His attorney, Jose “Pepe” Garza of McAllen, discussed the case with Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Cook Profit in September 2021, when Reyes appeared in court for a detention hearing.

Reyes was born in Reynosa and raised in Mexico, where he lived for nearly 30 years.

In 2013, he purchased a home near Dr. Mario E. Ramirez Elementary School in Rio Grande City, according to Starr County Appraisal District records.

Reyes made about $4,000 a month working for a local construction company, Garza said.

Prosecutors, however, alleged that Reyes actually made money by coordinating drug shipments for the Gulf Cartel.

“We have cooperating defendants who have indicated that when Reyes is in Mexico, he is often escorted by armed guards,” Profit said.

Reyes worked closely with a Gulf Cartel boss in Miguel Aleman, and the cooperating defendants claimed he “was in line to take over a position in Mexico as one of the decision-makers of the Gulf Cartel,” Profit said.

U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker ordered Reyes held without bond.

Faced with damning evidence, including phone calls recorded by law enforcement, Reyes negotiated a plea agreement with the government.

Reyes agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge, allow the government to seize a 1,600-square-foot home in Rio Grande City and surrender two Ford trucks.

In exchange, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas agreed to drop eight other charges against him.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 6. Reyes faces 10 years to life in federal prison.