Illegal alien sentenced in cocaine conspiracy

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 48-year-old illegal alien from Mexico living in Donna has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to traffic multiple drug loads.

Hector Rodriguez-Ramos pleaded guilty Dec. 30, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Rodriguez-Ramos to serve 72 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.

In 2024, Rodriguez-Ramos recruited another individual to act as a drug courier for the cocaine trafficking organization. He took that person's vehicle to a car shop associated with the conspiracy where others installed a hidden compartment.

Law enforcement ultimately uncovered the conspiracy after they found 14 kilograms of cocaine in that compartment.

The investigation revealed Rodriguez-Ramos coordinated multiple drug deliveries and completed a drug run himself. He was also in communication with others involved in the conspiracy during the events.

Rodriguez-Ramos has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tyler Foster and Yasmine Tucker prosecuted the case.