February 6, 2007

Federal jury convicts Texas man of possessing 282 kilos of cocaine
Estimated street value more than $28 million

URBANA, Ill. - A Texas man who was transporting to Chicago more than 282 kilograms of cocaine worth $28 million was found guilty Wednesday by a federal jury here, and now faces a mandatory life prison sentence. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigated this case.

A federal jury in the Central District of Illinois returned a guilty verdict Jan. 31 against Jasper Vargas, 41, of Mission, Texas, for possessing more than five kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute.

ICE agents initiated the investigation in November 2004 after receiving information that a tractor-trailer containing narcotics was allegedly en route to Chicago from Texas. Evidence presented during the trial established that Vargas drove a refrigerated tractor-trailer containing produce. He was stopped for speeding by the Illinois State Police while driving northbound on Interstate 57 in Iroquois County. During a subsequent search of the trailer, ICE agents found about 282 kilograms (620 lbs.) of cocaine in 157 bundles hidden in a secret compartment in the trailer's refrigeration unit. Wholesale value of the cocaine was estimated at $5.5 million, with a street value of more than $28 million.

At trial, a witness testified that Vargas admitted he was transporting the cocaine to Chicago for a Mexican drug cartel. Other witnesses testified that they had previously observed Vargas transport large loads of contraband using a refrigerated tractor-trailer and "cover" loads of produce.

Vargas has three prior felony drug convictions. At sentencing, he faces a mandatory term of life imprisonment without parole, and a fine up to $8 million.

"This was an excellent example of effective teamwork among federal and local agencies," said Elissa A. Brown, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Chicago. "We work aggressively and cooperatively to prevent drugs from entering our communities, and dismantle the criminal networks that profit from narcotics trafficking."

Chief U.S. District Judge Michael P. McCuskey ordered that Vargas continue to be detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending his May 2 sentencing.

ICE was assisted in the investigation by the Illinois State Police, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene Miller, Central District of Illinois, Urbana Division, prosecuted this case.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

  Last Modified: