Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
SAN DIEGO – Juan Velderrain Perez, a citizen of Mexico and resident of San Diego, appeared in federal court today to face charges that he smuggled unapproved pesticides into the United States. Velderrain Perez was apprehended at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry last month with 24 liters of dangerous Mexican-labeled pesticides concealed in his car. According to a complaint, which charges Velderrain Perez with the felony offense of smuggling merchandise, he failed to declare the chemicals at the border and then asked the Customs and Border Protection officer not to refer him to secondary because he knew he would get in trouble. Later, he admitted this was not the first time he had smuggled pesticides, and that he expected to be paid a smuggling fee when he delivered the product, the complaint said.