A federal grand jury in Del Rio has indicted a Mexican national on 12 counts for allegedly trying to smuggle over 135 pounds of drugs—including more than 95 pounds of cocaine, 26 pounds of methamphetamine, and 14 pounds of heroin—into the United States.
Court documents state that 39-year-old Wara America Castanon Campos tried to cross into the U.S. via the Eagle Pass Port of Entry on May 1. During a Customs and Border Protection inspection, officers referred her vehicle for an x-ray scan, which allegedly revealed irregularities in the rear section. A more thorough inspection uncovered 56 packages hidden in the rear floorboard, rear quarter panels, and spare tire. Tests on the substances reportedly confirmed they were heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Castanon Campos was arrested and initially charged with importing a controlled substance.
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The indictment now includes four counts each for trafficking cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Castanon Campos made her first court appearance on May 2 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Cordova in the Western District of Texas. If convicted, she faces 10 years to life in prison per count, fines up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory considerations.
The announcement came from Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Kass is leading the prosecution.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative mobilizing the Department of Justice’s full resources to stop illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime. The effort coordinates the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) programs.
