A woman from Alamo, Texas, has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Marina Saenz, 48, was stopped by authorities on June 11 while driving a white BMW SUV in Live Oak County for speeding. During the stop, a K-9 unit alerted officers to the vehicle. Law enforcement then found a hidden aftermarket compartment in the rear hatch that contained 29 bricks of cocaine weighing a total of 35.5 kilograms.
Saenz admitted she had picked up the cocaine in Mexico and brought it across the border at the Progreso Port of Entry. She also stated she intended to deliver the drugs to North Carolina for $10,000.
She further acknowledged making previous trips involving similar large amounts of cocaine.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos is scheduled to sentence Saenz on February 24, 2026. She faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could receive up to life in federal prison, as well as a possible maximum fine of $250,000.
Saenz remains in custody until her sentencing date.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Live Oak County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith prosecuted the case.
