A 34-year-old Philadelphia man will spend 120 months in federal prison after attempting to smuggle $210,000 worth of cocaine through a Texas Border Patrol station.
Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck announced Eric Barclay’s sentencing after he pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine on January 22. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos imposed the 120-month sentence, followed by five years of supervised release.
The charges stem from an incident on July 25, 2024, in which Christopher Seabrook drove a silver Chrysler into the Javier Vega Jr. Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita. Barclay was a passenger in the vehicle.
During the initial inspection, Seabrook left the checkpoint, leading law officers on a chase at speeds of up to 125 mph. Authorities halted the truck by puncturing its tires. Barclay then tried to leave by foot but was captured.
A later investigation of the car discovered ten bundles of cocaine stashed in the rear paneling. The narcotics weighed 9.8 kilograms and had an estimated street value of $210,000.
Seabrook, 51, of Philadelphia, was previously sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for his involvement in the incident.
Barclay remains in detention while awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Border Patrol and Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation, with help from the Texas Highway Patrol and the Philadelphia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys John Lamont and Ashley Pruitt prosecuted the case.
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