News Releases

Guatemalan woman arrested for allegedly smuggling heroin in powdered juice mix

HOUSTON — A Guatemalan woman was arrested Friday and charged with importing about three kilograms of heroin into the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

This investigation is being conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Monica Leticia Morales de Guzman was arrested Sept. 7 as she arrived at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) from Guatemala en route to Boston, Mass. She is expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson Sept. 10.

The criminal complaint indicates that on Sept. 7 Morales de Guzman presented a valid Guatemalan passport, a valid U.S. visa and her Customs Declaration Form. She was referred to secondary inspection to undergo baggage examination, and CBP officers discovered nearly three kilograms of heroin after a canine alerted to the presence of narcotics on her luggage.

Located in a shopping bag inside her pink suitcase, officers discovered nine packages of powdered juice mix which concealed pink plastic bags containing a total of 2.994 kilograms (6 pounds and 9.6 ounces) of heroin, according to the complaint.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lowery, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting the case.