Number of youths smuggling drugs declines, officials say

By Tammy Fonce-Olivas / El Paso Times
Article Launched:12/18/2006 12:00:00 AM MST

Fewer juveniles are smuggling drugs into El Paso County now than they were six years ago, but officials believe young people crossing illegal substances from Mexico is still a problem.

Thirty-five juveniles, ages 16 and younger, were caught trying to bring drugs, mostly marijuana and cocaine, across the border this year, the most recent figures kept by the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department show. In 2000, 96 juveniles were sent to the detention center after being detained at the border for drug offenses.

Manny Torres, intake director of the juvenile probation department, said that when he first began working at the detention center 28 years ago, nearly all of the juveniles accused of drug trafficking were male.

"You see more and more females getting involved now. At one time it was mostly males," Torres said.

Out of the juveniles accused of drug smuggling so far this year, 26 are male and nine are female. Torres said.

The issue of drug dealers using children as smugglers rose to the forefront of the community following the August arrest of a 16-year-old El Paso girl, who is accused of trying to smuggle 49 pounds of cocaine into the U.S. through the Ysleta port of entry.