CHRISTIANSTED — An Arizona man who tried to smuggle 24 pounds of marijuana into St. Croix has pleaded guilty in federal court to being a drug dealer, authorities said.
Armando Antonio Mena, 29, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty today to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
According to court documents,Antonio Mena flew to St. Croix on May 27, 2020 on a flight that originated in San Francisco, California.
On that flight, he transported checked luggage containing 22 individually wrapped vacuum sealed bags that contained approximately ten kilograms of marijuana, the amount and packaging being consistent with drug distribution, court records indicate.
Mena faces up to five years’ incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000.00.
A sentencing date has been set for June 9, 2021.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa P. Ortiz.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-vi/pr/arizona-man-arrested-marijuana-luggage