Wichita Man Convicted in Del Rio Meth Smuggling Case
A federal jury convicted 32 year old Juan Antonio Antuna Jr. of Wichita, Kansas, on November 13 2025 for importation of methamphetamine and conspiracy to import methamphetamine. Authorities say officers at the Del Rio International Bridge uncovered about 6.06 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside two concrete pedestals, a development that underscores ongoing enforcement at Val Verde County ports of entry.
A federal jury returned a guilty verdict on November 13 2025 against Juan Antonio Antuna Jr., 32, finding him guilty of importation of methamphetamine and conspiracy to import methamphetamine. Court evidence presented at trial showed Antuna drove a white van bearing Mexican license plates to the Del Rio International Bridge on March 16 and declared merchandise and food products to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.
During a secondary inspection at the port of entry, CBP officers discovered two concrete pedestals that concealed approximately 6.06 kilograms of methamphetamine. Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas brought the case to trial following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. At the time of the report the sentencing date had not been set.
The conviction highlights the role of Val Verde County ports of entry in federal drug enforcement and the routine secondary inspections that can intercept concealed shipments. Del Rio International Bridge is a critical crossing for commercial and personal traffic in the county, and the case illustrates how inspections at that crossing can affect both enforcement outcomes and daily travel for local residents. While the amount seized in this case represents a discrete interdiction the discovery of narcotics concealed inside vehicle components draws attention to evolving concealment methods that enforcement agencies must address.
For community members the case raises questions about safety and the effectiveness of border operations. Local officials and federal agencies balance facilitating lawful travel and trade with the need to detect and disrupt smuggling. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas will prosecute and sentencing will determine penalties and case closure. The investigations by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection remain part of broader federal efforts to reduce trafficking into the United States and to protect communities in Val Verde County and beyond.
