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Deported Mexican Drug Smuggler Convicted In Maryland

A Mexican citizen who had been previously deported from the United States was convicted in Maryland for trafficking drugs after being pulled over in a routine traffic stop, officials say.

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Alexander Juarez-Sanchez, also known as Jose Manuel Flores, 37, was convicted on multiple charges including intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin and illegal re-entry of the United States, Tuesday, May 31, according to the Department of Justice.

Juarez-Sanchez and a co-conspirator were arrested in Hagerstown, Maryland on Aug. 5, 2020, after being pulled over for following a vehicle too closely on I-81. The driver and Juarez-Sanchez gave fake names and the vehicle was found to be displaying a fraudulent Indiana plate.

A search of the vehicle yielded nearly $50,000 in cash, nearly two kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of heroin, and other indicators of drug smuggling. 

The pair had traveled from California, making a stop in Kentucky where he sold $44,000 worth of drugs before being arrested in Maryland. Evidence also suggested that a similar trip had been made to California to transport drugs to Chicago.

Although he provided a fake name, fingerprints and photographs of Juarez-Sanchez matched those of his true identity which were taken when he was in Border Patrol custody.

Juarez-Sanchez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison for the conspiracy and for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin; and a maximum of 10 years in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after deportation.

A sentencing has been scheduled for July 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

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