WICHITA – A woman from Mexico who was stopped in Kansas with 21 pounds of methamphetamine pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said Monday in a news release.

Maria Alonso-Espinoza, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Kansas Highway Patrol stopped her car on Feb. 26 on Interstate 70 near Russell. Her brother was driving, and she was riding as a passenger. She was the registered owner of the car.

Troopers found 21 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the driver’s side rear quarter panel, McAllister said. Investigators learned Alonso-Espinoza was taking the methamphetamine from Colorado to Wichita for distribution, he added.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 27. She could face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. McAllister commended the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Wichita Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst for their work on the case.