U.S. District Court Judge David C. Bury in Tucson sentenced David Efrain Flores-Castro, 33, a citizen of Mexico, to 84 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Due to his unlawful status in the United States, Flores-Castro faces deportation upon completing his prison term.

On Aug. 26, 2008, at a Nogales port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents noticed that a Ford Lobo (F-150), driven by Flores-Castro and its sole occupant, had a false compartment in the bed. Agents found 57 kilograms of cocaine in the false bed, with a bulk value of more than $1 million.

A federal grand jury indicted Flores-Castro on Sept. 24, 2008, for two felony counts: Importing 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine. On May 20, 2009, Flores-Castro pleaded guilty to count two. With no prior felony convictions in the United States, the defendant was facing up to 108 months in prison.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The prosecution was handled by Micah Schmit, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.