Texas man sentenced for trying to smuggle 40+ kilos of meth in torque converters

The Brief

  • A Houston man, Santos Joel Garza, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine smuggling conspiracy.
  • Garza pleaded guilty in November 2024 to attempting to smuggle approximately 90 pounds of methamphetamine into the U.S.
  • His co-conspirator, Britain Jean Sada, has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

HOUSTON A Houston man was sentenced Monday to 20 years in federal prison for his role in a scheme to smuggle approximately 90 pounds of methamphetamine into the United States.

Santos Joel Garza, 28, pleaded guilty on Nov. 5, 2024, to drug conspiracy charges. U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison ordered the lengthy sentence, which will be followed by five years of supervised release.

Prosecutors highlighted Garza’s extensive and violent criminal past during the sentencing hearing, noting multiple robbery convictions and assaults on detention guards while in custody.

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