Posted: Thursday, January 3, 2013 10:10 pm
A man who told investigators he thought he was smuggling marijuana was arrested after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents found nearly 31 pounds of heroin in his vehicle, authorities said Thursday.Manuel Enrique Perez-Villarreal, 50, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 30.9 pounds of heroin, according to a CBP press release, which adds that he is a Mexican citizen who lives in Brownsville.On Dec. 20, CBP officers discovered a brown powdery substance in the front drive shaft of Perez-Villarreal’s 1999 Ford F-250 truck, which field tested positive for the properties of heroin, according to a criminal complaint.
The heroin is valued at approximately $3.09 million, CBP stated.
During an interview, Perez-Villarreal admitted knowing the vehicle he possessed contained what he believed to be marijuana, the criminal complaint said. “Perez-Villarreal stated the vehicle was to be delivered to a gas station in Brownsville to unknown individuals,” the complaint said.
He told investigators he already had been paid $500 for his role in the failed smuggling attempt, according to the criminal complaint.
Perez-Villarreal waived his preliminary examination and is being held without bail.
“The Court, after further review of the PSA (Pre-Trial Services Agency) Report, finds the Defendant to be a risk of flight, and a danger to the community, and that short of detention, there is no condition or combination of conditions that would reasonably assure the defendant’s appearance at further court proceedings,” a court document stated.
CBP turned Perez-Villarreal and the heroin over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
The heroin is valued at approximately $3.09 million, CBP stated.
During an interview, Perez-Villarreal admitted knowing the vehicle he possessed contained what he believed to be marijuana, the criminal complaint said. “Perez-Villarreal stated the vehicle was to be delivered to a gas station in Brownsville to unknown individuals,” the complaint said.
He told investigators he already had been paid $500 for his role in the failed smuggling attempt, according to the criminal complaint.
Perez-Villarreal waived his preliminary examination and is being held without bail.
“The Court, after further review of the PSA (Pre-Trial Services Agency) Report, finds the Defendant to be a risk of flight, and a danger to the community, and that short of detention, there is no condition or combination of conditions that would reasonably assure the defendant’s appearance at further court proceedings,” a court document stated.
CBP turned Perez-Villarreal and the heroin over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.
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