EL PASO, Texas — Four people are facing federal charges in a shocking child-smuggling operation that allegedly involved sedating unaccompanied minors with marijuana gummies and posing as their parents at Border Patrol checkpoints. Authorities say the scheme smuggled children as young as five years old from Juárez, Mexico, into the United States.
What Happened
According to court documents, Susana Guadian and Daniel Guadian, both Mexican nationals, along with their daughter Dianne Guadian, a U.S. citizen, and Manuel Valenzuela, a legal U.S. resident from El Paso, were charged in the Western District of Texas. The charges include conspiracy to transport aliens and bringing aliens into the U.S. for financial gain.
The smuggling events reportedly occurred between May 1, 2024, and October 18, 2024. During the operations, smugglers allegedly sedated children — ages 5 to 13 — with marijuana-laced gummy candies to keep them quiet and compliant during nighttime crossings. In at least one case, a child required hospitalization after consuming the drugs.
How the Smuggling Worked
Investigators say the suspects posed as parents, providing U.S. documents at checkpoints and falsely claiming they belonged to the children. Text messages obtained by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) detailed the trafficking network’s communications, including messages offering children of specific ages and “proof-of-life” photos found on the suspects’ phones.
HSI Special Agent in Charge Jason Stevens explained that the smugglers often transported children between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., relying on sedation to avoid detection. “These children are nothing more than currency to the criminals,” Stevens said.
The Victims and Families
Authorities say many of the children’s parents trusted the smugglers to deliver their children to relatives already living in the U.S., despite the grave risks. Officials stressed that such arrangements often leave children vulnerable to exploitation, extortion, and even being held in stash houses.
Public and Political Context
The case comes amid ongoing national debate over immigration policies and unaccompanied minors. Earlier this month, Fox News reported on the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s efforts to track down tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors who disappeared into the system under the Biden administration.
What Happens Next
U.S. officials are working to extradite the Mexican nationals to face charges in Texas. The investigation remains ongoing, and more charges could follow as authorities continue examining communications, financial records, and potential additional victims.
Stevens urged families seeking entry to the U.S. to pursue legal pathways, warning that criminal smuggling networks put children at extreme risk. “We want to ensure that we interdict this and stop this before they get here,” he said.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
The post Four Charged in El Paso Child-Smuggling Case Involving Sedated Migrant Children first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
