A Texas woman has been sentenced to five years in prison in Alabama for her involvement in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy, as reported by the United States Department of Justice.
According to court documents, Zolia Rosa Zuniga was pulled over on Interstate 10 by a Task Force Officer from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit. The reason for the stop was Zuniga’s alleged violation of driving too closely behind another vehicle.
The officer had a few reasons to be suspicious, so he decided to bring in his canine companion, Darlin, to sniff the vehicle. Darlin quickly detected the scent of narcotics emanating from the vehicle, confirming the officer’s suspicions.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers thoroughly inspected the vehicle, leading them to discover approximately 32 pounds of methamphetamine concealed behind the speakers.
According to law enforcement, Zuniga confessed to willingly accepting the drugs from Mexico on behalf of someone who promised to pay her $10,000. She acknowledged that she was en route from Texas to Tampa, Florida when she was pulled over in Baldwin County.
The case was jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and BCSO.
Assistant United States Attorney George F. May handled the prosecution, while United States District Court Judge Jeffrey U. Beaverstock was responsible for handing down Zuniga’s sentence.
