Houston Republic

A Hidalgo resident has been sentenced for his involvement in a cocaine importation conspiracy from Mexico, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Jesus Andres Tijerina, 45, had entered a guilty plea on June 4. Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced him to 120 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. During the hearing, additional evidence was presented regarding Tijerina's supervisory role within the drug trafficking organization.

On January 21, 2020, Simon Salazar, a co-conspirator of Tijerina, arrived at the Anzalduas Port of Entry from Mexico in a vehicle. Law enforcement officers referred the vehicle for secondary inspection and found 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside and wrapped in bundles.

Further investigation revealed that Tijerina had provided instructions to Salazar on where to go in Mexico and how to deliver the narcotics upon entering the United States.

Salazar, aged 36, had previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 25 months in federal prison for his participation in the conspiracy.

Tijerina will remain in custody until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility, which will be determined soon.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan prosecuted the case.