Celia Raquel Zuniga, Marijuana Trafficking, Texas 2013

Celia Raquel Zuniga, 45, Guilty of Marijuana Trafficking

McAllen, Texas - In a shocking verdict, a federal jury has found Celia Raquel Zuniga, 45, of Rio Grande City, guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

The conviction stems from a traffic stop on December 6, 2012, where Starr County sheriff's deputies observed Zuniga driving in tandem with two other vehicles. Deputies noticed a strong odor of marijuana emitting from her vehicle and a canine subsequently alerted to the presence of narcotics.

Initially, Zuniga lied to deputies and denied there was anything illegal in her vehicle. However, after stepping out of her vehicle and when asked a second time, Zuniga admitted there was something illegal inside. Deputies then recovered 24 bundles of marijuana, weighing approximately 243 kilograms within the car.

In her defense, Zuniga testified she had been kidnapped by multiple men while she was driving to a friend's house. She claimed they took her to a cemetery while bundles of marijuana were loaded into her vehicle. She further testified they told her she would need to drive the vehicle to McAllen or else something would happen to her family.

The jury was not convinced of Zuniga's claim of duress and ultimately found her guilty as charged. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez has set sentencing for December 12, 2013, at which time Zuniga faces a minimum of five and up to 40 years in federal prison.

Zuniga, who was previously released on bond, was taken into custody following the return of the verdict. She will remain pending sentencing. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the Starr County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Ann Leo is prosecuting.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/jury-convicts-rio-grande-city-woman-marijuana-case