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Pesticide Smuggler Gets 90 Days
A Perris man has been sentenced to 90 days in custody for attempting to smuggle pesticides into the United States. Felix Gutierrez Valencia, 48, was also ordered to pay a fine of $2,500 and restitution of $8,807 for the cost of disposal of the pesticides, and perform 100 hours of community service during three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on April 16, 2020, Gutierrez entered the United States at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry with 48 containers of undeclared Mexican pesticides in his truck. The pesticides included Furadan, Monitor, Bayfolan, Biomec, Ridomil Gold, Kanemite and Rodentox. Gutierrez had concealed some of the containers in cereal and cookie boxes.
Gutierrez later admitted to offering to pay another individual to smuggle pesticides into the United States. However, that person was also caught at the border with 37 containers of Furadan, Biomec, Biozyme and Tetrasan.
Two of the pesticides smuggled by Gutierrez contain active ingredients that are cancelled in the United States, and thus are not permitted to be imported or sold. Furadan contains the cancelled pesticide carbofuran, which is a highly toxic insecticide that affects the central nervous systems by the same mechanism as chemical warfare nerve agents. Monitor contains the cancelled pesticide methamidophos, which is one of the most acutely toxic organophosphate pesticides, also related to chemical warfare nerve agents.
“Trafficking in illegal pesticides is big business, and we are aggressively prosecuting many of these smuggling cases in order to protect the public,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “The toxic chemicals are extremely dangerous, with the power to poison people, wildlife, water sources and soil. Smugglers like this defendant are attempting to sneak banned pesticides across the border as if they are illicit narcotics, and they are getting caught and going to prison. That’s how serious these offenses are.”
Gutierrez was sentenced in federal court by U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivenga.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melanie K. Pierson prosecuted the case.
Agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, assisted in the case.
Gutierrez’s sentence serves as a warning to others who would attempt to smuggle pesticides into the United States. The consequences of such actions can be severe.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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