Eight Juveniles Caught Allegedly Smuggling Drugs Into U.S.

Customs and Border Protection officials say they stopped eight juveniles from smuggling drugs into the U.S during the month of March.

According to CBP, seven of the juveniles were trying to smuggle marijuana through the El Paso ports of entry. CBP officers managed to stop them, and seized 338 pounds of marijuana.

The eighth juvenile allegedly tried to smuggle nearly 5 pounds of cocaine.

Five of the juveniles are U.S. Citizens and males, and the other three are also males, but from Mexico.

In January, CBP officers say they stopped 7 juveniles from smuggling drugs, while in February, they apprehended 5.

“Since Monday we have had five cases of children age 17 and younger attempting to smuggle drugs into the U.S. from Mexico,” said William Molaski, CBP El Paso Port Director. “On the other end of the spectrum, we had two people age 60 and over caught smuggling marijuana yesterday. This confirms that traffickers will employ any and all types of people in their drug smuggling attempts.”

Molaski said smuggling is a serious offense, “These juvenile cases are not without consequence. The offenders are turned over to either the El Paso Police Department or the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department to face state and local charges. There is no age related free pass as some of the smugglers have been led to believe.”