Trucker sentenced after failed attempt to hide cocaine with urine

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 50-year-old Orange resident has been ordered to federal prison for possession with intent to distribute over 23 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Pablo Garcia Ortiz pleaded guilty April 2.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Ortiz to serve 36 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. At the hearing Sept. 11, the court heard additional evidence that detailed how Ortiz attempted to conceal the cocaine from detection. In handing down the sentence, Judge Morales noted the great damage illegal drugs cause American society. By smuggling drugs, Ortiz made himself partially responsible for those harms.

On Nov. 1, 2024, Ortiz drove a Freightliner tractor to the Sarita Border Patrol checkpoint. A K-9 alert prompted a referral to secondary inspection.

Ortiz delayed exiting and poured a jug of urine inside the cab in an attempt to mask the odor of narcotics. He also accused law enforcement of planting evidence.

Authorities ultimately found 22 bundles of cocaine weighing approximately 24 kilograms hidden in a blue toolbox under the bed. The drugs, concealed in a trash bag and cardboard box, tested positive for cocaine. They also found chili powder which is commonly used to disguise the smell of narcotics.

A search of Ortiz's phone revealed evidence of a prior cocaine smuggling event in September 2024.

Ortiz was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Izaak Bruce prosecuted the case.