19-Year-Old Charged With Importation of 11,490 Fentanyl Pills,61 Pounds of Methamphetamine, and 14 Pounds of Heroin at San Ysidro Port of Entry

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 2, 2018

SAN DIEGO –   Today, Cristian Araujo Aguirre, 19, was arraigned by Magistrate Judge Barbara Major, on charges of importing 11,490 fentanyl pills, 61 pounds of methamphetamine and 14 pounds of heroin.   Aguirre was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on August 1, 2018. 

According to court records, Aguirre, a United States citizen living in Tijuana, was the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle.  U.S. Custom Border & Protection (“CBP”) officers found anomalies in the driver’s side and passenger side rear door panels and spare tire of his vehicle.  CBP removed 8 packages of heroin in the vehicle’s firewall, two packages of methamphetamine from the rear driver’s side door; 2 packages of methamphetamine from the rear driver’s side door; 5 packages of methamphetamine from the right rear quarter panel; 11 packages of methamphetamine from the right passenger rear door; 9 packages of methamphetamine in the spare tire, 2 bags and one box of pills (totaling 11,490 pills) in the left rear quarter panel of the vehicle.  The pills tested positive for fentanyl but were designed to resemble M30s, or oxycodone. 

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At defendant’s initial appearance, the United States requested detention based on risk of flight.  The detention hearing is scheduled for August 7, 2018 at 9:30 before Judge Major.  His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 16, 2018 at 9:30 before Judge Major.

DEFENDANT                                                Case Number 18MJ4249                             

Cristian Araujo Aguirre                                 Age: 19           Tijuana, Mexico

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Importation of Controlled Substances

Maximum penalty: 10 years minimum to life; $1,000,000 fine; supervised release; $100 special assessment)

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

The public is reminded that a complaint is a charging document.  A defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.