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Southwest Texas man sentenced to nearly 13 years for drug trafficking

DEL RIO, Texas — A local resident was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison Friday for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. This sentence resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of U.S Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Border Patrol, and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

U.S. District Judge Enrique Fernandez sentenced Anthony Ramirez, 37, to 151 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute less than 500 grams of cocaine. In addition to his prison sentence, Judge Fernandez also ordered Ramirez to serve a three-year term of supervised release after he completes his prison term. Ramirez pleaded guilty to the charge Aug. 25, 2009.

"HSI vigilantly and aggressively investigates drug trafficking and the violence that goes along with this crime," said Vincent Iglio, deputy special agent in charge of HSI San Antonio. "This prison sentence is a testament to that effort. We are committed to making our communities safer and will continue to partner with other law enforcement agencies to achieve that goal."

According to court documents, law enforcement from participating agencies executed a search warrant at Ramirez's residence April 23, 2009. Officers discovered a plastic bag floating in the toilet. The plastic bag was found to contain 11 smaller baggies of a white powdery substance later identified as cocaine. The 11 baggies weighed about 7.5 grams including packaging. Officers also discovered a few grams of marijuana located in a vehicle parked at the residence.

The case was prosecuted out of the Western District of Texas.