MOBILE, Ala.- A Mexican man arrested with $3 million (euro2.41 million) worth of drugs in a secret compartment in his sport utility vehicle was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a federal judge.
Juan Perez-Oliveros, 46, who was convicted of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in January, claimed he was driving the car he was arrested in for another man and was unaware of the hidden drug stash.
"It is clear, Mr. Perez, not only did I not believe you, but the jury did not believe you," U.S. District Judge William Steele said at the sentencing Monday.
A local newspaper reported Tuesday that Perez-Oliveros, who has been a legal resident since 1991, will not be eligible for parole under federal law until he serves at least 85 percent of his sentence, meaning he would be about 71 when turned over to immigration authorities for possible deportation to Mexico.
Prosecutors had sought a life sentence.
Perez-Oliveros was driving a Chevrolet Avalanche when a state trooper, noticing the vehicle swerving, pulled him over just after midnight on Jan. 10, 2005. Authorities said they discovered 66 pounds (30 kilograms) of a pure form of methamphetamine known as "ice" in a secret compartment.
Perez insisted that an Altanta man bought him a plane ticket to San Antonio and promised to pay $300 (euro241) to drive his uncle to Georgia.
Speaking through an interpreter Monday, Perez maintained his innocence.
"The people who asked me to drive, they did not inform me I was driving drugs, because I have never had anything to do with drugs," said Perez-Oliveros. "As a final request, I would like the court to have mercy on my family, because I have been a hard-working person in this country for (more than) 20 years."
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