Nine buckets of narcotics: trafficker admits to importing $340,000 of liquid meth in fuel tank Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas Dateline: Laredo, Texas Date: 5 March 2024 Subjects: American Government , Crime

LAREDO, Texas – A 41-year-old resident of Monterrey, Mexico, has pleaded guilty to importing 300 pounds of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

On Nov. 22, 2023, Allan Alberto Moreno Trevino approached the Laredo Colombia Solidarity International Bridge Port of Entry driving a white 2004 Ford F-250 pickup truck. Law enforcement subsequently referred him to secondary inspection where an x-ray revealed anomalies within the vehicle’s fuel tank. 

While inspecting the vehicle, authorities noticed Moreno Trevino pacing and appearing nervous, eventually asking them if something had been found.

Authorities eventually discovered the fuel tank was filled with liquid meth mixed with gasoline. Law enforcement extracted nine buckets of the mixture with an approximate gross weight of 137.2 kilograms and an estimated street value of $340,000.  

As part of his plea, Moreno Trevino stated he expected to be paid between $1,500 and $2,000 for transporting the drugs from Mexico.

He also admitted knowing the fuel tank contained a controlled substance which he was to deliver to others in San Antonio where the liquid meth would then be extracted.

U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña will set sentencing at a later date. At that time, Moreno Trevino faces up to life in prison and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

He has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez is prosecuting the case.

Updated March 5, 2024