California man pleads guilty to possessing cocaine

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A California man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to possession of nearly 77 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Todd Graves said.

Mario Alberto Bueno, 45, of Southgate, Calif., admitted that he possessed more than 5 kilograms of cocaine while driving on Interstate 70 in Callaway County on Jan. 9, 2001, Graves said. Bueno faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of up to $4 million. His sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.

Bueno also pleaded guilty to a forfeiture count that requires him to turn over the automobile and $1,635 to the federal government, Graves said.

Bueno was pulled over for driving without a proper license plate or registration and consented to a police officers' request to search his vehicle. The officers found 78 bundles of cocaine, each weighing 1 kilogram, in a compartment in the floorboard, Graves said. The total weight of the cocaine was 76.9 kilograms, or about 169.5 pounds, Graves said.