“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat
A man from Mexico who used a child to transport large quantities of methamphetamine in the U.S. has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors say Rafael Muniz-De La Mora used a 4-year-old child to carry 10 pounds of meth in their backpack during a major drug deal.
Muniz-De La Mora, 49, had pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine.
The Drug Enforcement Administration in eastern Washington state had identified him and a co-defendant, Carlos Madrigal-Deniz, while investigating a drug trafficking organization. The feds said Muniz-De La Mora was identified as Madrigal-Deniz’s supplier.
Rafael Muniz-De La Mora escorted the young child, wearing the Spider-Man backpack filled with drugs, from one vehicle to another, September 2020. (U.S. Attorney’s Office via KIMA)
In September 2020, Madrigal-Deniz made arrangements for a 10-pound delivery of methamphetamine from Muniz-De La Mora, who brought a 4-year-old child to the transaction. The child was wearing a Spider-Man backpack containing approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine.
Muniz-De La Mora escorted the young child, wearing the backpack, from one vehicle to another. Muniz-De La Mora, the child, and another co-defendant got into the second vehicle, a Chevy Cruze.
The DEA stopped the car and recovered the backpack, which was next to the child.
Muniz-De La Mora was also sentenced to five years of federal supervision after he’s released from prison.
