News Releases and Statements

Shem Wayne Alexander, 35, of Port of Spain, Trinidad, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Victor Hugo Diego-Avellaneda, 39, was attempting to leave the U.S. and enter Mexico at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry on Jan. 19. He made a negative declaration regarding possession of weapons, ammunition, and currency.

The 15-count indictment, returned last month and unsealed on Jan. 24, charges nine defendants with conspiracy, smuggling and breaking customs seals. The defendants allegedly took containers flagged for off-site secondary inspection, unloaded the contraband, then stuffed the targeted containers with filler cargo to deceive customs officials and evade law enforcement.

The gold jewelry was imported by a U.S. wholesaler who provided false documents and statements to U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding its the country of manufacture to evade U.S. tariffs applicable to gold jewelry.