Texas Residents Charged with Federal Drug and Gun Violations

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - United States Attorney David I. Courcelle announced that ELIBERTO GUAJARDO ("GUAJARDO"), age 37, of San Juan, TX., and BRICE STRAIN ("STRAIN"),age 43, of Houston, TX, were charged in a four-count indictment with violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and Federal Gun Control Act.

GUAJARDO and STRAIN were indicted in Count 1 for Conspiracy to Distribute, and Possess with Intent to Distribute, Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1),841(b)(1)(A), and 846. If convicted of Count 1, the defendants face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years up to life imprisonment; a fine of up to $10 Million; and at least five years of supervised release.

GUAJARDO and STRAIN were indicted in Count 2 for Distribution of Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. If convicted of Count 2, the defendants face a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years up to life imprisonment; a fine of up to $10 Million; and at least five years of supervised release.

STRAIN was indicted in Count 3 for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). If convicted of Count 3, STRAIN faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years up to life imprisonment; a fine of up to $10 Million; and at least five years of supervised release.

STRAIN was also indicted in Count 4 for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 924(c)(1)(A). If convicted of Count 4, STRAIN faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five years up to life imprisonment, to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, a fine of up to $250,000.00 and up to five years supervised release.

According to court documents, beginning on an unknown date, but at least by June 2025, and continuing to on or about January 27, 2026, the defendants GUAJARDO and STRAIN allegedly conspired to distribute, possess with intent to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine. Additionally, according to court documents, on or about January 27, 2026, STRAIN allegedly possessed a firearm, a Glock Model G43, nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The defendants also face payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each count for which they are charged.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Orleans comprises agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and assisted by the Louisiana State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Briana N. Williams of the Narcotics Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

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