A Mexican national residing illegally in the United States has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking offenses in the Eastern District of Texas. This was announced by U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Francisco Santana Herrera, aged 42, admitted guilt to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He received a sentence of 80 months in federal prison from U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on November 21, 2024.
Court records indicate that on April 10, 2024, Herrera was stopped for speeding in a construction zone on Interstate 10 in Beaumont. During a vehicle search, officers found approximately 16 kilos of cocaine.
The investigation involved the Beaumont Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations/Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.