A federal judge in El Paso, Texas, has scheduled a trial hearing for June 3 for two San Diego women accused of recruiting minors to smuggle drugs from Mexico into the United States through a pedestrian border crossing.

Alleged Charges and Seizures

Shannon Pollard and Amy Lennen are facing charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, while being armed with firearms. The charges stem from seizures in November, including 46.1 pounds of methamphetamine, 4,493 fentanyl pills, and various firearms, including AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, as well as a disabled grenade. The authorities also recovered multiple stolen passports and driver’s licenses during the operation.

Investigation Details

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated the investigation after receiving information from an informant alleging that Lennen offered to sell methamphetamine to a known narcotics distributor. According to court documents, the informant stated that Lennen mentioned a woman named Natalie who recruited children to carry fentanyl and other drugs through the port of entry from Mexico. Additionally, the DEA contacted the Carlsbad Police Department, which was already investigating an illicit drug supplier believed to be Pollard.

Tracking and Raid

Investigators obtained a court order to place a tracking device on a vehicle driven by Lennen. This led them to two addresses – a storage facility in Oceanside and a rental house in San Diego – suspected of being used as drug repositories. Raids conducted in November uncovered caches of drugs, firearms, ammunition, and other evidence related to drug trafficking.

Legal Proceedings

According to a complaint affidavit filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Pollard leased both properties under the alias of Nathalie Flores. She was arrested for violating her probation on a previous federal charge during the search of the rental home. Lennen was arrested in February, and both women have pleaded not guilty to the charges, waived indictment, and are awaiting trial.

Law Enforcement Efforts

Last year, federal and local law enforcement agencies in San Diego launched Operation Blue Lotus, a two-month operation aimed at curbing the influx of fentanyl and other hard drugs across the border. The operation resulted in the seizure of 4,721 pounds of fentanyl and the arrest of 200 smugglers, traffickers, and dealers, according to the DEA.

Randy Grossman, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, emphasized the region’s role as an epicenter for fentanyl trafficking into the United States and underscored the importance of addressing the crisis through law enforcement efforts.

For more updates on border-related issues, visit the BorderReport.com homepage.

Conclusion: Combatting Drug Trafficking Along the Border

The case of Pollard and Lennen underscores the ongoing challenges posed by drug trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border. Efforts by law enforcement agencies to disrupt such operations are critical in reducing the flow of dangerous substances into communities. As legal proceedings continue, the commitment to combating drug-related crimes remains paramount in safeguarding public health and safety.

Source