San Ysidro
A National City man convicted in a scheme to import more than 600 pounds of cocaine into the United States has been sentenced to 24 1/2 years in federal prison.
U.S. District Judge Judith N. Keep sentenced Reyes Acebes Barajas, 42, on Tuesday. Barajas was convicted in May of conspiracy to import cocaine, importation of cocaine, conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, Assistant U.S. Atty. Laura J. Birkmeyer said Thursday.
Barajas was arrested at the San Ysidro crossing Dec. 15 as he followed two trucks--each equipped with a secret compartment for the cocaine--across the border, prosecutors said.
At a hearing July 24, Keep sentenced the drivers of the trucks, Richard Trinidad Terrones, 28, of National City, and Sixto Humberto Sanchez, 33, who gave an address in Mexico, to 17 1/2 years apiece in federal prison. They were also convicted in May of the same four charges, Birkmeyer said.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.