TAMPA, Fla. – A California man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Hernan Cruz-Moreno, 24, Earlimart, California, faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to the plea agreement, Cruz-Moreno and Agustin Ortiz-Sanchez, 22, Thermal, CA, flew from Los Angeles to Tampa International Airport on May 2, 2023, carrying four suitcases containing a total of 60 kilograms of methamphetamine.
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Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and officers from the Tampa International Airport Police Department examined the luggage in a secure area of the airport, and a narcotics detection dog discovered drugs in the bags.
Cruz-Moreno and Sanchez-Ortiz eventually recovered the bags and were apprehended by officers conducting surveillance. Cruz-Moreno admitted that he was paid $2,000 by another person to transport the luggage and stated at the time that he had no idea what was in the bags, but he was aware it was illegal.
In November 2023, Ortiz-Sanchez pleaded guilty to same offense. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 27, 2024.
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