Deported Mexican National Sentenced for Transporting 56 Lbs. of Meth Through Kansas City

Apolinar Gocovachi Pacheco received 8 years in prison for drug trafficking and illegal reentry.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small plastic bag containing white crystalline powder, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic through the use of harsh, direct flash lighting against a pitch-black background.A recent wave of cross-border drug trafficking exposes the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating the Midwest's methamphetamine crisis.Kansas City Today

A 26-year-old Mexican national who had been previously deported was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for transporting over 56 pounds of methamphetamine through Kansas City. Apolinar Gocovachi Pacheco admitted to illegally reentering the U.S. and being recruited to transport the drugs from Omaha to Kansas City.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of combating drug trafficking and illegal border crossings, with the meth trade fueling violence and addiction in many communities. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of deportation policies and the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

The details

During a traffic stop on I-29 in September 2024, Missouri state troopers found a large duffel bag containing 55.6 lbs of meth in the vehicle Pacheco was traveling in. A separate grocery bag on the floorboard had an additional pound of meth, and a loaded gun was also discovered. Pacheco told investigators he had illegally entered the U.S. about two weeks prior and was recruited by co-defendant Pablo DeJesus Peralta Anguis to transport the drugs from Omaha to Kansas City in exchange for a significant cash payment.

  • On September 3, 2024, Missouri state troopers stopped the vehicle Pacheco was traveling in on I-29 near Kansas City.
  • On August 22, 2024, just 12 days before the traffic stop, U.S. Border Patrol agents had previously encountered and deported Pacheco in Nogales, Arizona.

The players

Apolinar Gocovachi Pacheco

A 26-year-old Mexican national who was previously deported and sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for transporting over 56 pounds of methamphetamine through Kansas City.

Pablo DeJesus Peralta Anguis

One of the co-defendants who pleaded guilty to possessing meth with intent to distribute and unlawful reentry after deportation, and is awaiting sentencing.

Pedro Alberto Quiroz Ayala

Another co-defendant who pleaded guilty to possessing meth with intent to distribute and is awaiting sentencing.

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What they’re saying

“Pacheco told investigators he had entered the U.S. illegally around two weeks before the stop, crossing from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.”

— Apolinar Gocovachi Pacheco

What’s next

Ayala and Anguis are awaiting sentencing for their roles in the drug trafficking operation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of combating the cross-border drug trade and the need for stronger enforcement and comprehensive immigration reform to address the root causes of illegal border crossings and drug trafficking.