Tractor Trailer Driver Charged With Importing 1,309 Pounds of Methamphetamine, 9.37 Pounds of Heroin, and 2.64 Pounds of Cocaine at the Calexico East Commercial Port of Entry

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – December 6, 2018

EL CENTRO, CALIFORNIA –   Today, Jose Guadalupe Aviles-Cordero, 60, was arraigned by Magistrate Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro on charges of importing 1,309 pounds of methamphetamine, 9.37 pounds of heroin, and 2.64 pounds of cocaine.  Aviles-Cordero was arrested at the Calexico East Commercial Port of Entry on December 5, 2018. 

According to court records, Aviles-Cordero, a Mexican citizen living in Mexicali, Baja California, was the driver of a tractor pulling an empty trailer as it approached the cargo facility.  U.S. Custom Border & Protection (“CBP”) officers found anomalies in the roof area of the trailer.  Upon further inspection of the roof area, CBP officers discovered 90 packages of methamphetamine with a weight of 1,309 pounds, multiple packages of heroin with a weight of 9.37 pounds, and multiple packages of cocaine with a weight of 2.64 pounds.

At defendant’s initial appearance, the United States requested detention based on risk of flight.  The detention hearing is scheduled for December 11, 2018 at 10:00 am before Judge Montenegro.  His preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 20, 2018 at 1:30 pm before Judge Montenegro.

CBP officers at the border crossings in Southern California routinely stop illegal activity while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States.  Those statistics can be found here: CBP-enforcement-statistics.

If you have any information related to suspected smuggling activity at the Calexico East Cargo facility, the Department of Homeland Security encourages you to report it by calling its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form.

DEFENDANT                                                Case Number 18MJ11506                           

Jose Guadalupe Aviles-Cordero                     Age: 60          Mexicali, Mexico

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Importation of Controlled Substances

Maximum penalty: 10 years minimum to life; $1,000,000 fine; supervised release; $100 special assessment)

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

Homeland Security Investigations

The public is reminded that a complaint is a charging document.  A defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.