A November 22 sentencing hearing is set for a man who federal authorities say admitted bringing 44 pounds of cocaine from Texas to the Mahoning Valley.

Javier Eduardo Guiterrez-Quintana, 47, of El Paso, Texas pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of 20 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute.

State Troopers say they searched a truck parked at the Pilot gas station on Route 46 in Austintown on May 31 after a drug-sniffing dog alerted them to something suspicious inside.

According to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, Troopers found 20 packages of cocaine stuffed into three duffle bags. Each package was neatly wrapped in blue plastic.

Troopers say Guiterrez-Quintana admitted bringing the cocaine from El Paso, Texas to the Youngstown area.

The affidavit says that the suspect told a Drug Enforcement Agency agent that he was supposed to hand over the narcotics to a person whose name he claimed not to know.

A DEA agent said in the affidavit said that that drug traffickers will often transport drugs on board commercial vehicles with legitimate cargo to hide their crimes from law enforcement.

Gutierrez-Quintana faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison following supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.