In August 2011, DEA agents observed two men unloading what appeared to
be bricks of cocaine from the back of a tractor trailer truck into duffle
bags. After following the suspects to a Pilot truck stop, where the suspects
unloaded their cargo into a truck, the DEA agents then followed the truck
until it came to stop on a gravel road and was unloaded of its cargo.
When agents investigated, they found 70 bricks of cocaine worth an estimated
$2.25 million in the men’s duffle bags. Both men were arrested and
charged with cocaine possession with intent to distribute. Agents later
searched the home of one suspect and found an additional $200,000 and
a firearm as well.
Sergio Barraza-Pinera, 32, an illegal immigrant and one of the men indicted
in the cocaine distribution case, negotiated a plea of guilty to possession
of five kilograms of cocaine with intent to sell and was sentenced to
six years in prison, after which he will be deported back to Mexico. Barraza-Pinera
stated he became involved in drug activities to pay debts associated with
his illegal immigration to the United States. “Let me get back to
my children and I will not come back to the United States,” the
defendant said.
The co-defendant in the case, Daniel Varajas, has also pleaded guilty to
possession of cocaine with intent to sell, and will be sentenced at a
later date.
When charged with a drug crime in the state of Florida, the penalties can
be quite severe, and thus it is very important to immediately seek legal
representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney. A
criminal defense attorney experienced in Florida drug laws offers the experience and expertise to
effectively fight your criminal charges.