Smugglers Drugged Children With THC Gummies at the Border
What happens when the people paid to bring children across the border treat those children as cargo? In September 2026, two Mexican nationals were arraigned in federal court in Texas after being extradited from Mexico on charges of smuggling unaccompanied children — some as young as 5 — into the United States, allegedly sedating them with THC-laced gummies to keep them quiet at the border.
What if the deadline to protect a child has already passed — because no one knew they were in danger? That is the reality at the center of a federal case unsealed in Texas. In September 2026, Susana Guadian, 51, and Daniel Guadian, 51, both of Juarez, Mexico, were arraigned in the Western District of Texas after being extradited from Mexico. A federal grand jury had indicted them in September 2025 on charges of conspiracy to transport aliens and bringing aliens illegally into the United States for financial gain.
What the indictment alleges
According to court documents, between May 1 and October 17, 2024, the Guadians were part of a smuggling organization that brought unaccompanied children — ages 5 to 13 — from Juarez, Mexico into the United States. Prosecutors allege they recruited drivers who presented fake US documents at ports of entry, falsely claiming the children were their own. Drivers were paid $900 per child. During at least one smuggling event, the children were given gummy candies laced with THC — the active ingredient in marijuana — to sedate them so they would not answer questions from border officers. One child was hospitalized and later diagnosed with marijuana poisoning.
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"These defendants are charged with smuggling multiple children across the southern border," said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "The allegations include that they risked the safety of children by giving them THC-laced gummies to sedate them." Two co-defendants have already faced consequences: Manuel Valenzuela was sentenced on July 1 to five years in prison, and Dianne Guadian pleaded guilty on July 28 for her role in the scheme.
The case is being prosecuted as part of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), a DOJ-DHS partnership targeting cartel-run smuggling networks across the Americas. HSI El Paso and US Border Patrol led the investigation, with support from HSI's Human Smuggling Unit and Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center. The case also falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide DOJ initiative focused on dismantling smuggling and trafficking organizations.
What to do
- If you know a child who may have been brought into the US by smugglers, contact an immigration attorney immediately — children may still qualify for asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), or other protections.
- If you suspect child smuggling is happening, report it to HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
- Do not assume a child who entered illegally has no legal options — immigration judges are required to hear their cases before any removal can happen.
- If you or your family paid a smuggler to bring a child into the US and are now worried about your own legal situation, speak with an immigration lawyer before contacting authorities on your own.
A full breakdown of this topic — in our guide “Appealing to the BIA”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
Children who were smuggled into the US are not automatically barred from immigration relief. Under US law, unaccompanied minors have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge and may qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), asylum, or other protections — regardless of how they entered. If a child in your care was brought in by smugglers, do not assume deportation is inevitable; consult an immigration attorney who handles juvenile cases as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can children who were smuggled into the US apply for asylum?
Yes. Being smuggled does not disqualify a child from seeking asylum or other protections. Unaccompanied minors have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge. An attorney can help determine which form of relief — asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, or another option — fits the child's situation.
What is the charge 'conspiracy to transport aliens for financial gain'?
This is a federal crime under US immigration law. It means prosecutors allege the defendants organized and profited from moving people — in this case, children — across the border illegally. Convictions can carry significant prison sentences.
What is Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA)?
JTFA is a partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Its job is to investigate and prosecute large-scale human smuggling and trafficking operations run by cartels and other criminal organizations. As of the time of this case, JTFA had secured more than 483 arrests and 436 US convictions.
What should I do if I suspect a child is being smuggled?
Call the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or contact local law enforcement immediately. You can also reach the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Acting quickly can protect the child from further harm.