RUSSELL COUNTY —A Mexican citizen has been charged by federal prosecutors after allegedly being found with more than 20 pounds of methamphetamine in northwest Kansas.

Maria Alonso-Espinoza, 29, has been charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

According to court documents, the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped Alonso-Espinoza’s vehicle Feb. 26 on Interstate 70 in Russell County and found 21 pounds of meth.

If convicted, she faces a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.