A Mexican national with multiple illegal reentry convictions was sentenced on Mar. 10 to more than 11 years in prison for trafficking over 33 kilograms of cocaine and illegally reentering the United States, according to Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement agencies to address drug trafficking and repeat immigration violations in the Charlotte area.
Raul Bello Rojas, age 44, received a sentence of 135 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine and illegal reentry as a deported convicted felon. “Rojas repeatedly violated our nation’s immigration laws and returned to the United States to traffic large quantities of cocaine. Armed with guns, he posed a serious threat to our community. This sentence ensures he’ll spend more than a decade in federal prison before being promptly deported,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson.
Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in North Carolina and South Carolina, said, “Every time a dangerous criminal like Rojas returns to our streets and brings drugs and weapons into our neighborhoods, families and communities are put at risk. This outcome shows that HSI and our partners are determined to stand between traffickers and the people they threaten. We’re committed to making Charlotte—and every community we serve—a safer place by taking action against those who repeatedly break our laws and endanger lives.” Chief Estella D. Patterson of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department added, “This investigation shows what is possible when local and federal agencies work side-by-side to keep our great city safe. Rojas’s actions posed a serious threat to our community, and through strong partnerships we were able to hold him accountable.” Sheriff Van W. Shaw emphasized the importance of collaboration: “This investigation shows the importance of law enforcement agencies working together in our areas to arrest and convict violent repeat offenders. Through these partnerships, we ensure that our limited resources are utilized to the fullest extent.”
Court documents show that between December 2024 and January 2025, Rojas sold cocaine on at least three occasions to an undercover officer before authorities executed a search warrant at his residence on February 28, 2025. During this search, investigators found approximately 33 kilograms of cocaine divided into bricks hidden throughout the home along with two firearms—one located in a nightstand and another found with drugs—as well as nearly $65,000 in cash.
Records indicate Rojas had previously been deported from the United States four times following various criminal convictions dating back as far as October 2010 for assault in Virginia; subsequent deportations occurred after convictions for illegal entry or felony reentry offenses in Texas (2013), Utah (2015), and Virginia (2019).
Rojas remains in custody awaiting transfer from U.S. Marshals Service detention facilities to a designated Federal Bureau of Prisons location.
