Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios announced today that a jury found Mario Pastor, 34, of Reynosa, Mexico, guilty of a felony charge for attempting to smuggle over 200 kilograms of cocaine through a Hidalgo County port of entry.
The Hidalgo County jury convicted Pastor, a commercial truck driver, on the charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver more than 400 grams, following a three-day trial in the 464th District Court before Judge Joe Ramirez.
According to evidence presented in court, on March 5, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge referred a tractor-trailer operated by Pastor for secondary inspection. During a detailed search, officers discovered over 200 kilograms (approximately 440 pounds) of cocaine concealed within commodities in the vehicle’s trailer. The estimated street value of the drugs exceeds $6 million.
Agents with the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the port of entry and took over the investigation.
Pastor was sentenced by the jury to 15 years in prison. District Attorney Palacios commended the efforts of federal and local law enforcement agencies whose teamwork led to the successful prosecution.
“This verdict sends a clear message,” said Palacios. “Drug traffickers who attempt to use our highways and borders to transport dangerous narcotics will be caught and held fully accountable. The men and women of law enforcement who stopped this shipment prevented millions of dollars’ worth of illegal drugs from reaching our communities.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gretchen Flader.
Information source: Hidalgo County
