Former Mexico police officer pleads guilty to smuggling meth hidden in car's gas tank

A former Mexico police officer pleaded guilty to smuggling 50 packages of methamphetamine hidden in a car's gas tank across a West Texas port of entry, authorities said.

Cesar Alonzo Lopez Ruiz, 34, pleaded guilty May 17 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, federal court records show.

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Lopez pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge David B. Fannin in Alpine. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Aug. 26. He faces 10 years to life in prison, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas officials said.

Lopez, of Rosales, Mexico, was a former Mexican police officer, officials said. No further information was released on Lopez.

Lopez claims he was going to Oklahoma to buy school supplies

Lopez attempted to cross the Presidio port of entry about 11:40 a.m. March 21 in a white Nissan Altima, a federal complaint affidavit states. He was the only person in the car, which had Mexican license plates.

He told U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers he was headed to Oklahoma City for 22 days to buy school supplies, the affidavit states. Officers selected his vehicle for secondary inspection.

Officers used a "fiberoptic scope to examine the fuel tank," the affidavit states. Officers found 50 vacuum-sealed packages containing a white crystal substance hidden inside the gas tank.

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The substance in the packages tested positive for methamphetamine. The drugs weighed about 27.8 kilograms, the affidavit states.

Lopez was questioned by Homeland Security Investigations agents. He told the agents he was contracted by an "unidentified individual" to drive the drug-filled car from Mexico to Oklahoma, the affidavit states. He would be paid $2,000 if he delivered the car, the affidavit states.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Former Mexico police officer pleads guilty to smuggling meth