An Edinburg man is behind bars after he was allegedly caught trying to smuggle more than $291,000 dollars worth of meth into the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrested Guadalupe Gutierrez-Moreno under federal drug charges Friday.
The 42-year-olds drove into the United States at the Progreso International Bridge.
During a secondary inspection, customs officers allegedly found four packages with 19.4 pounds of methamphetamines hidden in the lining of two suitcases.
Gutierrez-Moreno allegedly told investigators that he was in Nuevo Progreso when he ran into an acquaintance he hadn't seen in five years.
Court records showed the acquiaintance asked him to take some drugs across and that he would pay im $2,000 dollars.
Gutierrez-Moreno allegedly received a $460 dollar down payment and was supposed to meet a contact north of the bridge.
The Edinburg man spent part of the down payment on liquor and cigarettes and then crossed the bridge.
Gutierrez-Moreno allegedly claimed his acquaintance told him he was supposed to deliver a small amount of cocaine.
The Edinburg man appeared before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Dorina Ramos in McAllen on Monday.
Gutierrez-Moreno is a Mexican national who lives in Edinburg. Court Records show that authorities have filed an immigration detainer against him.
Judge Ramos denied bond for Gutierrez-Moreno until a Thursday morning hearing.
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