CBP Thwarts Attempt to Smuggle 3 Drugged Toddlers Through Laredo Port of Entry

Monday, May 07, 2007

Laredo, Texas – U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Laredo port of entry Saturday thwarted an attempt to smuggle three male toddlers who were drugged and dressed as girls in an attempt to use false birth certificates. CBP arrested three persons on federal alien smuggling charges and sent the children to the hospital for observation.

Shortly before midnight on May 5, at Gateway to the Americas Bridge, CBP officers referred a Mexican taxicab carrying Angelita Muñoz, 38, Stephanie Muñoz, 20, both U.S. citizens from Dallas, and three minor children for a secondary examination. Angelita Muñoz provided birth certificates for two of the children and Stephanie Muñoz provided one for the third child. CBP officers noted that the birth certificates presented were for girls and that the children appeared to be boys ages one, four and five dressed in girls’ clothing. In addition all three were unresponsive and would not wake.

All three boys were transported by paramedics to a local hospital for observation. Further examination of the vehicle revealed three blue pills of Halcion, a sleeping pill, in Angelita Muñoz’ purse.