A woman was charged after U.S. Border Patrol agents allegedly found more than 90 pounds of fentanyl pills in her car along the 10 freeway in Indio, federal prosecutors announced in a statement released Thursday, May 16.
On Tuesday, May 14, Adriana Galindo, 34, of Mexico, was driving a 2015 black Chevrolet Malibu along the 10 Freeway in Indio with her son when Border Patrol agents stopped her vehicle, authorities allege in a criminal complaint.
According to an affidavit, Galindo, a U.S. citizen, told authorities she was driving to Los Angeles to purchase clothing for a retail store in Mexico and then returning home later that day.
After Galindo consented to a search of the car, a trained narcotics K-9 alerted law enforcement to the presence of narcotics odor, the DOJ said.
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Agents initially found a single blue pill of suspected fentanyl, but after seizing the vehicle for further search, 93.3 pounds of fentanyl pills were discovered in a “non-factory compartment” under the car’s front seats, Thursday’s statement said.
Galindo was arrested and admitted to knowingly transporting illegal drugs but not knowing which drug. The affidavit alleges that she was paid $4,000 to do so.
Her son was released to the custody of his aunt, a California resident, according to the DOJ.
According to Thursday’s statement, the DOJ charged Galindo on with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
“If convicted, Galindo would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment,” the DOJ said.
