SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- A San Diego man who used a drone to smuggle drugs into the United States has been sentenced to 12 years in prison, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Authorities say Jorge Rivera, 25, used a remotely operated drone to smuggle 13 pounds of methamphetamine into the U.S.
A jury last week sentenced Rivera to the 12-year sentence.
RELATED: Point Loma drugstore robbed twice by masked man with a gun
On August 8, 2017, Border Patrol agents saw a drone flying over the border fence two miles west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
Agents trying to intercept the drone found a man on foot carrying a large bag filled with bundles of the drug.
RELATED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seize 6 tons of drugs worth $9.1 million
“We appreciate the determination, persistence, and hard work of all law enforcement partners involved in the case. The United States Attorney’s Office and its diligent efforts have resulted in a successfulprosecution and conviction, and a sentencing that should deter this type of criminal activity in the future,” said Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Roy D. Villareal.
RELATED: $1.9M in drugs seized by officers at U.S.-Mexico border
25-yr-old #SanDiego man who used a remotely operated drone
to smuggle 13 lbs. of meth got himself a 12-year prison sentence. Read about it
here: https://t.co/ji33lfbpEC pic.twitter.com/6q9SZCPD3V— CBP San Diego (@CBPSanDiego) January 31, 2018
