McAllen Man Sentenced to 3 Years for Cocaine Distribution with Children Present

A 39-year-old Mexican national illegally residing in McAllen, Heriberto Marin-Hebert, has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Marin-Hebert pleaded guilty to the charges on November 22, 2024.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered the prison sentence. As he is not a U.S. citizen, Marin-Hebert is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.

On August 14, 2024, law enforcement conducting surveillance on Marin-Hebert observed him engaging in hand-to-hand exchanges of cocaine around McAllen, remarkably, with his children present in the vehicle. When authorities conducted a traffic stop, Marin-Hebert attempted to evade detection by throwing a box containing cocaine into a ditch. Officers recovered the box, finding multiple individually-wrapped baggies of cocaine.

A subsequent search of his home uncovered additional baggies of cocaine, drug scales, drug paraphernalia, two firearms, and over $12,000 in cash. At the time of his arrest, Marin-Hebert admitted that he sold cocaine for a living.

Marin-Hebert will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility, which will be determined in the near future.

The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Hidalgo County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan prosecuted the case.