Man Sentenced for Smuggling Children With THC Candy

Children as Young as 5 Were Sedated With THC Candy at the Border

Manuel Valenzuela, a 35-year-old Mexican national, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in smuggling unaccompanied children — some as young as five years old — from Juárez, Mexico into the United States. Court documents show that Valenzuela and other members of a smuggling organization gave children candy laced with THC (the substance in marijuana that causes intoxication) to sedate them during the crossings. During one smuggling event, a child had to be taken to a hospital and was diagnosed with THC poisoning.

The smugglers also used fake U.S. documents and falsely told border officers they were the children's parents. Once inside the US, the children were transported to El Paso. Valenzuela pleaded guilty on November 10, 2025 to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens, three counts of bringing aliens without authorization for financial gain, and one count of aiding and abetting. The case was investigated by HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) El Paso and U.S. Border Patrol, with support from federal task forces in Washington, D.C.

The case is part of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) — a partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security that targets cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) involved in human smuggling and trafficking. To date, JTFA has led to more than 464 arrests, more than 414 convictions in the US, and more than 360 significant prison sentences. The case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide DOJ initiative focused on illegal immigration enforcement and eliminating cartels.

What This Means for Immigrant Families

This case is a warning about the real dangers of using smugglers — often called "coyotes" — to cross the border. Criminal organizations sometimes use children as cover during smuggling operations, putting those children at serious risk. Families considering irregular border crossings should know that the people they pay may not protect them or their children. There are legal pathways to seek protection in the US, including applying for asylum (a form of legal protection for people fleeing persecution).

What to do

• If you or your family are considering crossing the border, do not use smugglers or pay unknown organizations. The risks — including physical harm, criminal charges, and deportation — are serious.
• If you are already in the US and fear returning to your home country, you may be able to apply for asylum. Lawyers recommend speaking with a licensed immigration attorney before filing any application.
• If you know of a child being smuggled or exploited, you can report it to the HSI tip line at 1-866-347-2423. Reports can be made anonymously.
• If you are in removal proceedings (the legal process where a judge decides if you must leave the US), do not miss your immigration court hearing. Missing a hearing can result in an automatic deportation order.