5 Held for Smuggling Kids into US Using THC Candy

El Paso, Texas — Four individuals have been charged for their roles in a scheme to smuggle children from Mexico into the United States, at times using THC-infused candy to sedate them during smuggling events. A fifth individual was also detained, according to the report.

"This Department of Justice is investigating and prosecuting human smuggling more aggressively than ever, and the Joint Task Force Alpha is at the forefront," said U.S. Attorney Pamela Bondi. "We will not rest until those who profit from the suffering of vulnerable people, including unaccompanied children, face severe and comprehensive justice."

The accused Mexican citizens are Susana Guadian, 50, and Daniel Guadian, 50. Also charged are Dianne Guadian, 32, a U.S. citizen, and Manuel Valenzuela, 35, a legal permanent resident residing in El Paso, Texas. They were charged in the Western District of Texas with a criminal complaint of conspiracy to transport foreigners and bring foreigners into the United States for financial gain.

Dianne Guadian and Manuel Valenzuela were arrested in El Paso on August 30 and had their initial court appearances on September 2.

According to the complaint, between May 1 and October 17, 2024, the accused were part of a human smuggling organization that illegally brought unaccompanied foreign children between the ages of five and 13 into the United States from Juárez, Mexico.

The complaint alleges that Susana Guadian and Daniel Guadian recruited drivers to transport the children by car from Mexico to a U.S. port of entry. The drivers and their accomplice presented U.S. documents to inspection officers, falsely claiming the documents belonged to the children and that they were the children's parents.

During at least one smuggling event, the children were given gummy candies containing marijuana to sedate them. One of the children was taken to a local hospital and later diagnosed with marijuana intoxication.

Once in the U.S., the children were transported to El Paso, where, according to the complaint, Dianne Guadian and Manuel Valenzuela would pick them up and pay the drivers, who were paid $900 for each minor they brought into the United States.