A Mexican National was arrested today in Harrison County, Mississippi, on criminal charges related to his alleged transportation of 9 kilograms of fentanyl while driving on Interstate 10 in Gulfport.

According to court documents, Jose Gilberto Rodriguez-Hernandez, 32, was pulled over on I-10 when Border Patrol Agents recognized him as a known illegal alien who had previously been removed from the United States. During the traffic stop, Rodriguez-Hernandez was found to be in possession of nine kilogram bricks of fentanyl.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has reported that a single kilo of fentanyl can kill up to 500,000 people, meaning 9 kilos has the potential to kill 4.5 million.

Rodriguez-Hernandez is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. If convicted, Rodriguez-Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Border Patrol are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.