Pirro Highlights Drug Bust Near Schools
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro recently revealed a significant drug bust in Washington, D.C., focusing on the sale of cocaine in areas close to schools. She provided some striking visual evidence, including details of a drug transaction that occurred alarmingly close to a young child. Pirro stressed law enforcement’s dedication to ensuring the safety of children and local communities, pledging severe penalties for those implicated in these activities.
Mexican National Sentenced for Child Smuggling
A Mexican national was sentenced to five years in federal prison after he admitted to being part of a human smuggling ring. This operation involved using THC-laced candy to sedate five-year-old children before crossing them over the U.S.-Mexico border. Federal prosecutors noted that one child required hospitalization due to THC poisoning linked to this operation.
Manuel Valenzuela, aged 35, pleaded guilty last November to multiple charges, which included conspiracy to transport an alien and knowingly bringing an alien into the U.S. for profit. He was among four individuals charged last year for their involvement in this smuggling scheme that transported unaccompanied minors aged 5 to 13 from Juarez, Mexico, to the United States.
According to the court filings, the smugglers falsely claimed parental relationships with the children while presenting fake identification to border officials. The minors were taken to El Paso following their arrival in the U.S.
Assistant Attorney General A. Theisen Duva condemned the smuggling tactics, stating, “The need to sedate children with THC under the guise of giving them candy reveals the heinous nature of these crimes.” She added that this incident highlights the lengths smugglers will go to, further emphasizing the necessity of protecting both vulnerable children and U.S. borders.
Ryan McRae, acting special agent for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, criticized the complete disregard for child safety that such operations demonstrate. He described the use of THC-laced candy as a reprehensible act that places children’s lives in peril.
Federal prosecutors reported that these smuggling incidents took place between May 1 and October 18, 2024. They also recovered images of the children’s survival documents from the suspect’s mobile devices, which adds another layer to this disturbing case.
