Mexican national faces life for importing liquid meth

LAREDO, Texas – A 27-year-old resident of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been charged with conspiracy and importation of meth, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

A federal grand jury sitting in Houston returned the two-count indictment again Luis Angel Burnias-Reyes today. Originally charged by criminal complaint March 19, he remains in custody. He is set to make his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge in Laredo next week.

On Nov. 7, 2019, Burnias-Reyes allegedly entered the United States through a port of entry near McAllen utilizing a B1/B2 visa and driving a tractor-trailer. The charges allege he transported a large commercial tire inside the trailer that contained approximately 51 kilograms of liquid meth. He delivered the drug-laden tire in McAllen, according to the charges, and then returned to Mexico.

He was later arrested March 19 near Pharr after trying to re-enter the country at the port of entry. His visa was cancelled because of the arrest.

The estimated street value of the drugs is approximately $400,000.   

If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison on each count and a possible $10 million maximum fine.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations is conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony J. Evans is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.