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TEXAS - An El Paso resident pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a human smuggling operation that brought unaccompanied children as young as five across the U.S.-Mexico border, sometimes using candy laced with THC to sedate them during the process.

THC-Laced Candy

The Latest:

Manuel Valenzuela, 35, pleaded guilty on Nov. 6 to one count of conspiracy to transport aliens and three counts of aiding and abetting in the smuggling of aliens for profit, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas. Valenzuela faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 11 years in federal prison.

Human Smuggling Scheme

The backstory:

Valenzuela was arrested on Aug. 30 along with co-defendant Dianne Guadian, a U.S. citizen. The two, along wi

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