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A Mexican man who claimed to be a government official is in federal custody after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 22 bundles of cocaine inside his vehicle when he tried to cross into the United States through the Falcon Dam Port of Entry, according to a criminal complaint.
Jesus Fernando Serrano Lauretta is charged with knowingly and intentionally possessing with the intent to distribute 55 pounds of cocaine concealed within his white 2024 MG MG5.
Serrano appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano in McAllen federal court for his initial appearance Wednesday morning, court records indicate.
At about 12:37 p.m. on Sept. 16, Serrano applied for entry at the Falcon Dam Port of Entry and was the only occupant in the MG5.
When asked, Serrano stated he was coming from Monterrey, Mexico, and his purpose for visiting the U.S. to see a friend in Austin and to shop in San Marcos.
Officers continued questioning Serrano and asked him what he did for a living. Serrano stated he was a government official who worked at the office of “Secretary of the Government of Mexico,” according to the complaint.
During a secondary inspection, Serrano stated he was coming from Morelos, Mexico and was visiting to shop in San Marcos.
Officers found a Mexican registration card, insurance information and a black baggie inside a backpack containing about $1,000.
They also discovered two cellphones left on the dashboard which Serrano later claimed to be his personal cellphones, the complaint said.
Additionally, hidden below the steering compartment, officers found a tracking device that appeared to have a microphone wire and was wrapped in clear cellophane and black tape.
Officers also noticed that the rear seat was unusually heavy.
According to the complaint, a drill was used to drill into the back of the rear passenger seat and the officers discovered white powdery substance.
They then utilized a K-9 unit to inspect the seats and they alerted officers to the presence of narcotics.
The vehicle was then put through an x-ray, which revealed anomalies within the seats of the vehicle, the complaint said.
“(CBP officers) proceeded to check the seats and discovered three compartments in the front driver, front passenger, and the whole rear seat of the vehicle,” the complaint said. “The front driver and passenger seats were found to contain a total of eight bundles, the rear passenger seat compartment was found to have 14 bundles all wrapped in clear cellophane and black tape.”
The total weight of the 22 bundles amounted to 55 pounds.
In an interview with Homeland Security Investigations special agents, Serrano stated he bought the vehicle in February of this year and requested to retrieve phone numbers out of his cellphone when he was advised his cellphones were going to be seized.
An investigation revealed that Serrano’s brother crossed into the U.S. using the same vehicle on Sept. 10 and returned to Mexico on Sept. 14.
Investigators also discovered the brothers were swapping the vehicle’s license plate, according to the complaint.
